Amidst collegium row SC rejects plea for details of 2018 meeting over judges' appointment

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking a direction to disclose the details under the Right to Information (RTI) Act of a Collegium meeting in which the decisions were taken to elevate two High Court Chief Justices to the top court.

"The discussions within the judges-selecting judges Collegium system cannot be put in public domain as these discussions do not assume the character of a final decision of the multi-member body," a two-judge Bench led by Justice M R Shah and also comprising Justice C T Ravikumar said.

Dismissing a petition filed by RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, the court said it is based on comments by an ex-Collegium member on a decision to elevate two High Court Chief Justices. It said the ex-judge's remarks have no relevance.

"Whatever is discussed in the collegium need not be in public domain. Only the final resolution is required to be published,” the apex court said.

Bhardwaj filed the petition seeking a direction to get the agenda, minutes and resolution of the Supreme Court collegium meeting of December 12, 2018 under the RTI Act. (UNI)