Delhi High Court Refuses To Stay CIC Order Requiring Hockey India To Disclose List Of Members, Employees' Salaries Under RTI

The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the order passed by Central Information Commission (CIC) directing Hockey India to disclose certain information, including list of its members and details of employees' salaries under the Right to Information Act.

Justice Rekha Palli, who was not inclined to stay the order, was of the view that Hockey India, being a public authority, cannot shy away from disclosing the information. She added that even the salaries of judicial officers are in public domain.

The Centre supported the CIC order by submitting that the same was passed in accordance with the National Sports Code and the guidelines of the Central Government.

Senior Advocate Sachin Dutta appearing for the Centre submitted that such an information does not come under the exempted category of confidential information under the Right to Information Act.

Accordingly, the Court granted five days' time to the Central Government for filing an affidavit in the matter, while listing the case for further hearing on January 20.

Advocate Shyel Trehan represented Hockey India in the matter.

It is the case of Hockey India that the impugned order is patently illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the mandate of Section 8(1) of the RTI Act which provides for exemption from disclosing certain kinds of information.

Therefore the petition sought quashing of the impugned order and also sought directions to restrain the concerned authorities from proceeding or acting in pursuance to the said order.

Case Title: Hockey India v. CIC & Anr.