The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing for March 5 to deliberate on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that seeks the publication of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports before the upcoming general elections. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, decided against prioritizing the hearing despite the proximity to the Delhi assembly polls on February 5, noting that the elections did not render the matter urgent.
The PIL, filed by Brij Mohan, a retired civil servant, argues that voters should be informed of the financial health and state affairs of Delhi to make informed decisions at the polls. The plea highlights that the CAG’s reports, which have been critical of certain policies implemented by the AAP-led Delhi government, including the controversial excise policy, should be accessible to the public to ensure transparency in governance.
During a previous session on January 24, the court queried the petitioner about his right to demand the publication of these reports. The bench also considered whether the CAG reports could be classified as “information” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act before they are officially presented in the assembly. The judges acknowledged the significance of the issue, as it touches upon constitutional provisions and the public’s right to know.
The petitioner emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “The general elections are due in early 2025 in Delhi, and political parties are making all sorts of promises to voters in Delhi. It is absolutely essential that the financial health of Delhi should be known to the public before Delhi goes to polls.” He expressed concerns over the current deadlock in making the CAG’s reports public, suggesting that the Delhi Government’s reluctance to release the reports contradicts the public interest, which demands transparency before elections.
