Outcome of chargesheets issued for a massive scam

The applicant submitted that after serving the chargesheet to certain officials, nothing has been beard so far and it is not known as to what happened to the chargesheets. He sought to know whether some major or minor penalty has been imposed or not and whether the embezzled amount in connivance with each other and on account of serious lapse on their part the loss caused to the State exchequer has been recovered. The PIO replied that the charge-sheet, disciplinary proceedings, professional records etc. are all personal information exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1) (j) of the RTI Act. The appellant appealed claiming that it related to a massive scam and records have been sought for in larger public interest. Upon being asked by the CIC as to whether the appellant was the informer/complainant based on which action initiated against the delinquent officials, he answered in negative. Considering the issue flagged by the appellant and in the light of larger public interest and a natural public expectations to know the broad outcome of a case which was in the public domain, the Respondent was directed by the CIC to inform the broad outcome of the final order passed on the chargesheet issued to the officials as also the final outcome of departmental disciplinary appeal as mentioned in the RTI application.

Comments

The copy of chargesheet and its outcome has often been sought by applicants. It has been debated whether it is a personal information and whether the same should be made available to the complainant or any other person.

Citation: Ram Lal Arora v. Executive Engineer (HQ), O/o Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration, CIC/ENGDP/A/2024/611452; Date of Decision: 14.01.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com