The CJI holds the information pertaining to asset declarations in his capacity as (the) Chief Justice.'

The high court ruling came on an appeal by the apex court's registry against the Central Information Commission's order that the CJI was a public authority.

In a formal interaction with the reporters last Friday, Chief Justice Balakrishnan had asserted that his office is out of the purview of the RTI Act.

'The office of the chief justice is privy to so much of information like privileged communication between various constitutional authorities, complaints against judges etc. How can all this information be disclosed (under RTI Act)?' the chief justice had said.

Apex court officials said they had basically challenged that aspect of the central information commission which says 'whatever information is with the chief justice has to be with the registrar.'

The officials also pointed out that the Supreme Court judges' latest resolution to make public their assets lacked the force of legal mandate and so it was not even binding on the judges.