The Supreme Court Monday restored a government rule requiring apex court and high court judges to keep the home and external affairs ministries in the loop when travelling abroad, even on private visits.
The apex court stayed a Delhi High Court order which quashed the provision of a government circular that sought information from foreign-bound judges on boarding, lodging, whether accompanied by spouse, duration of visit, the organisation that had extended the invitation, purpose of visit and the cost of tour.
The apex court bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, Justice S.S. Nijjar and Justice J. Chelameswar suspended the operation of the high court's May 25 order by which it quashed the para 10 of the government's circular on the issue.
The high court held that the seeking of information lowered the dignity of the constitutional posts held by the judges of the Supreme Court and high courts.
According to the circular, the information sought from the judges was to be routed to the law and justice ministry through the Chief Justice of India and chief justices of high courts.