Delhi HC Dismisses Petition Against Ram Janmbhoomi Trust's Status

The Delhi High Court declined a petition seeking to classify the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as a public authority. The petitioner, Neeraj Kumar, challenged a CIC decision rejecting disclosure of public officer details. The court directed parties to present their case to the CIC instead.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition that sought to categorize the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as a public authority. Filed by Neeraj Kumar, the petition challenged the Central Information Commission's decision from July 8, 2022, which denied the release of information regarding the Chief Public Information Officer and the First Appellate Authority of the Trust.

Kumar's efforts included an RTI request to the Ministry of Home Affairs in July 2022, seeking similar disclosures. However, the Ministry rejected the request, stating that the Trust is not owned, controlled, or financed by the Indian Government and thus does not qualify as a public authority. Legal representation for the petitioner was provided by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, aiming to overturn the CIC's directive through judicial intervention.

During the hearing, Justice Sanjeev Narula's bench considered arguments from both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ram Janmabhumi Trust, with Senior Advocates Chetan Sharma (ASG) and Nishant Gautam (CGSC) contending that the Trust operates independently and should not be classified as a public body. After extensive deliberation, the court decided against intervening, directing the involved parties to argue their case before the CIC. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)