Answer By law4u team
Yes, an RTI (Right to Information) application can be filed to the judiciary in India, but with certain limitations. Under the RTI Act, 2005, the judiciary—including the Supreme Court, High Courts, and subordinate courts—is considered a "public authority" and is therefore covered under the Act. However, here’s how it works in practice: 1. Administrative Information: RTI can be filed to seek administrative and non-judicial information from the judiciary. Examples include: Recruitment details Staff appointments Budget allocations and expenditures Maintenance of court buildings Availability of case status or certified copies 2. Judicial Functioning – Limited Access: RTI cannot be used to question or challenge judicial decisions or the reasoning behind judgments. These are part of the judicial process and are outside the purview of the RTI Act. For example, you cannot use RTI to ask: Why a judge passed a particular judgment What the internal deliberations of the bench were Such issues must be addressed through judicial review or appeals, not RTI. 3. Certified Copies – Separate Procedure: If you need certified copies of court judgments, orders, or documents filed in court, you must generally follow the procedure laid down in the court rules (such as High Court Rules or Civil/Criminal Procedure Code), rather than the RTI route. Many courts have ruled that if such a mechanism exists, RTI cannot override it. 4. Public Information Officers (PIOs): Most High Courts and the Supreme Court have designated Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Appellate Authorities to process RTI applications. Example: The Supreme Court of India has a Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) who deals with RTI requests related to the Court’s administrative functions. Conclusion: Yes, RTI can be filed to the judiciary, but only for administrative information. Matters related to judicial decision-making and court records are governed by separate legal procedures and not open to scrutiny under the RTI Act.
