Supreme Court Issues Notice On PIL To Allow Virtual Hearing Access In CIC Through Direct Links

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 17) sought response from the Union in a PIL seeking directions to Central Information Commission to give access to virtual hearings by issuing direct court links.

The Petitioner in Person, Advocate Kishan Chand Jain in his plea stressed that the Central Information Commission (CIC), has nationwide jurisdiction but has been conducting hybrid hearings through NIC studios instead of providing direct links to online hearings. This causes much inconvenience to appellants who are required to travel to the studios to partake in online hearings.

"Significantly, the Central Information Commission (CIC), which has nationwide jurisdiction, currently conducts hybrid hearings through NIC studios rather than providing direct links in the cause lists. This practice requires appellants to travel to NIC studios, often located in government offices that may be distant from their residence or workplace, causing inconvenience, time loss, and additional expenses. Moreover, appellants may face long waits at these studios for their hearings."

The bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notice in the PIL with liberty to serve the Respondents through online means.

The plea also states that in response to the RTI query regarding any proposal for online hearing, the CIC's CPIO said "that no such proposal was under consideration, and that hybrid hearings continued to be conducted through NIC studios"

The petitioner emphasized the 2023 decision of the Supreme Court Court in Kishan Chand Jain v. Union Of India And Ors where it was directed that all State Information Commissions (SICs) to provide for hybrid mode of hearing for complaints and appeals. The Court had also directed the SICs to ensure that e-filing is streamlined for all litigants.

The petitioner also relied on the judgmnet in Sarvesh Mathur v. Registrar General of High Court of Punjab & Haryana 2023 LiveLaw (SC) 871, where the Court directed that all High Courts must give hybrid hearing options.

i) Direct the Central Information Commission (CIC) to include virtual hearing links in its daily cause lists for appeals and complaints, in lines with the judgment of this Hon'ble Court dated 09.10.2023 in WP (C) No. 360 of 2021 (Kishan Chand Jain v. UOI & Ors.)

ii) Direct the Central Information Commission (CIC) to discontinue the current practice of requiring appellants to travel to NIC studios for virtual hearings, thereby making the process more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly for all information seekers.

Matter will now be heard on October 21.

Case details : KISHAN CHAND JAIN v. CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION & ANR. Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s).580/2024

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