CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION versus D.D.A. & ANR.

Citation: [2024] 7 S.C.R. 617 · Decided: 10-07-2024 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: VIKRAM NATH · Disposal: Case Allowed

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Judgment (excerpt)

[2024] 7 S.C.R. 617 : 2024 INSC 513
Central Information Commission 
v. 
D.D.A. & Anr.
(Civil Appeal No. 2230 of 2012)
10 July 2024
[Vikram Nath* and Satish Chandra Sharma, JJ.]
Issue for Consideration
Whether the power of general superintendence direction, and 
management of the Central Information Commission’s affairs under 
Section 12(4) of the Right to Information Act 2005, includes the 
authority to constitute benches of the CIC and frame Regulations 
for the effective management and allocation of work within the 
Commission, including the issuance of orders and the formation 
of committees.
Headnotes†
Right to Information Act, 2005 – Constitution and Powers of 
the CIC – Section 12 of the RTI Act:
Held: Section 12 of the RTI Act outlines the constitution and 
powers of the CIC – The CIC consists of the Central Information 
Commissioner itself and a specified number of Information 
Commissioners, not exceeding ten – Section 12(4) of the RTI 
Act grants the CIC the general superintendence, direction, and 
management of the Commission’s affairs – This provision implies 
that the CIC has comprehensive authority to oversee and direct its 
functioning – This provision allows the CIC to implement measures 
that ensure smooth and efficient functioning of the Commission, 
including the formation of benches of the Commission. [Para 13]
Right to Information Act, 2005 – Powers and responsibilities  
of the State Information Commissioners – Section 12 of the  
RTI Act – Legislative intent to provide broad authority to 
ensure effective function of the Commissions:
Held: Section 15 of the RTI Act mirrors Section 12, but applies 
to the State Information Commissions – It establishes the 
State Information Commissions, and outlines the powers and 
responsibilities of the State Chief Information Commissioner 
* Author
618
[2024] 7 S.C.R.
Digital Supreme Court Reports
and State Information Commissioners – Both, Sections 12 and 
15 of the RTI Act use a similar language, emphasizing the 
wide-ranging powers of the CIC and the State Chief Information 
Commissioners to manage their respective commissions’ affairs 
autonomously, and without external interference – This language 
clearly suggests that the legislative intent was to provide these 
officials with broad authority to ensure their commissions function 
effectively. [Para 14]
Interpretation of RTI Act – General superintendence implies the 
ability to constitute Benches – Absence of an explicit provision 
does not negate the CIC’s authority to constitute Benches: 
Held : The general superintendence, direction, and management 
powers vested in the CIC imply a wide-ranging authority to organize 
the internal functioning of the Commission, including the ability to 
constitute benches – This interpretation aligns with the purpose 
and objective of the RTI Act, which aims to facilitate the efficient 
disposal of cases and the effective implementation of the right to 
information – The absence of an explicit provision for Benches 
does not negate the CIC’s authority to constitute them, as such 
powers are implicitly included within the scope of the CIC’s 
general superintendence and management responsibilities – The 
broad language of the RTI Act indicates an intention to grant the 
CIC comprehensive authority to ensure the effective and efficient 
functioning of the Commission – The RTI Act’s broad language 
suggests that the legislative intent was to provide the CIC with 
the necessary authority to implement measures that ensure the 
Commission’s effective operation – The interpretation of the High 
Court was based on a restrictive reading of the RTI Act, focusing 
on the absence of explicit provisions for Benches with the RTI 
Act and a broader interpretation of the RTI Act is warranted.  
[Paras 16 and 17]
Object of the RTI Act – Purposive interpretation of RTI  
Act – Formation of Benches allows efficient allocation of work:
Held: The RTI Act should be interpreted purposively, taking into 
account the broader objectives of the legislation – The purpose 
of the RTI Act is to promote transparency and accountability in 
the functioning of public authorities, ensuring citizens’ right to 
information – To achieve these objectives effectively, it is essential 
that the Central Information Commission operates efficiently and 
[2024] 7 S.C.R. 
619
Central Information Commission v. D.D.A. & Anr.
without undue procedural constraints – The principle of purposive 
interpretation supports

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