Overview
- Additional Solicitor General K. M. Nataraj said the search committee has shortlisted candidates and the selection committee of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and a Union minister will decide within 2–3 weeks.
- Petitioners led by Anjali Bhardwaj, argued by Prashant Bhushan, said earlier Supreme Court directions on disclosing search-committee members, applicant lists and shortlisting criteria remain unmet, alleging names are being “air‑dropped.”
- The commission currently has no Chief Information Commissioner and only two commissioners out of a sanctioned ten, with tens of thousands of appeals pending, including figures near 30,000 cited in court.
- Cautioning against paralysing oversight, Justice Surya Kant said the Court will not micromanage each stage but will examine any ineligible appointment after it occurs.
- The bench directed Jharkhand to finish State Information Commission appointments within 45 days and asked several states to expedite selections, consider increasing sanctioned strength and file status reports before the next hearing on November 17.