Can a copy of writ petition be published before the same is heard by the Court?

Background

The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) act with the Supreme Court and wanted to know if there was any rule which debars a petitioner from publishing a copy of the writ petition in the media before the same is heard by the Court and other related information. The Public Information Officer (PIO) stated that the queries did not amount to information within the meaning of section 2(f) “information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force; of the RTI act.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that all that the appellant wanted to know was if there is any rule framed by the Supreme Court debarring petitioners from publishing the writ petition in the media before it is taken up and heard by the Court. If the Supreme Court does not have any such rule, the PIO should have clearly stated that no such rule exists or is available with them. The Commission directed the PIO to inform the  appellant if there is any such rule available in the Supreme Court which debars a petitioner from publishing the writ petition in the media before it is taken up for hearing or is heard by the Court.

Citation: Mr. Subhash Chandra Agarwal v. Supreme Court of India in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/002124