Setting a precedent, for the first time TV cameras have been allowed live telecast of proceedings of hearing at Central Information Commission against petitions filed against Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) on November 1, 2011, thanks to Central Information Commissioner ML Sharma. He said it was in tune with an era of transparency especially at the “Temple of Transparency”.

However, he had to order removal of TV cameras after an hour of live coverage when BCCI counsel arriving an hour late objected towards presence of TV cameras. 

It will be timely that Central Information Commissioners unanimously decide to turn down objections raised against presence of TV cameras during CIC hearings. Allowing TV cameras to cover CIC proceedings can even set similar example for courts in future.

The CIC may refer to a larger bench of the transparency panel to decide whether the Indian cricket board is a public authority and fell under the ambit of the Right to Information {RTI) Act.

The cameras were ordered to be moved out after Amit Sibal, counsel for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), raised objections.

"I am not going to decide whether you (BCCI) are a public authority. I had called this hearing on your request so that I can decide whether this matter could be referred to a larger bench. So my jurisdiction at the moment is very limited," said Sharma.

The hearing generated huge interest as TV cameras were allowed inside courtroom for the first time with some of the channels planning live coverage of the hearing parked their OB vans in the vicinity.

But things turned different as soon as Sibal entered the room and asked the Information Commissioner if he was "comfortable" with the recording of the proceedings.

"Well, we talk of transparency. If you have any objections, I will ask them to stop," Sharma said. Sibal said proceedings should not be recorded after which the Information Commissioner ordered electronic media to stop the recording of proceedings.

The case relates to RTI applications filed by activist S C Agrawal and one Alok Varshney seeking details of working of the BCCI.