Supreme Court of India upholds CIC's authority to establish benches and create regulations under RTI Act.
Supreme Court of India affirmed the Central Information Commission's (CIC) authority to establish benches and create regulations. The Court emphasized that CIC's autonomy is crucial for its effective functioning, as the independence and autonomy of administrative bodies play a pivotal role in their capacity to efficiently carry out their designated tasks. The Court held that the Chief Information Commissioner's powers to frame regulations related to the constitution of benches of the commission are within the ambit of Section 12(4) of the RTI Act. These regulations are essential tools for ensuring efficient administration and operation of the commission, addressing various procedural and managerial aspects necessary for fulfilling its mandate.