Judgment at odds with RTI Act: Centre

The Centre on Thursday filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a review of its judgment that only sitting or retired Chief Justices of High Courts or Supreme Court judges could head the Central and State Information Commissions.

The Centre contended that the court could not direct it to amend the RTI Act. Further, the directions given in the September 12 judgment were contrary to the provisions of the Act, it said.

The Supreme Court had held that members of the Information Commissions must have a judicial background. The appointment should be done in consultation with the Chief Justice of India or the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned, it had said.