RTI doesn't apply to Chief Justice of India, yet

New Delhi: A day after the Delhi Court ruled that the country's most-senior judge - the Chief Justice of India (CJI) - is obliged to share information under the Right to Information Act (RTI), the CJI has made his intentions clear on challenging the order. (Read: Yes, RTI applies to Chief Justice of India)

As awkward as it may seem, the Supreme Court will now appeal - in the Supreme Court itself - against the High Court order and greater transparency.

"A full court will consider and decide on appeal," said Justice K G Balakrishnan on Wednesday, adding, "I have not read the judgement. I have seen only your valuable comments."

But leading constitutional experts say the CJI should accept the High Court's verdict. "Supreme Court lost the case. Chief Justice of India must respect this decision and should not sit on appeal and it is a correct decision," says Rajiv Dhawan.

The High Court ruling declares that "judicial independence is not a privilege to a judge, but a responsibility." According to the the 88-page judgement: "Accountability of the Judiciary cannot be seen in isolation. It must be viewed in the context of a general trend to render governors answerable to the people in ways that are transparent, accessible and effective."