Ex-DGP SS Virk can inspect documents against him

The central information commission (CIC) has directed the Union home ministry to allow former Maharashtra director general of police SS Virk to inspect documents related to the disciplinary proceedings against him.

Invoking the right to information (RTI) Act, he had asked home ministry for inspection of the documents relating to disciplinary proceedings initiated against him. Virk, an IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, had retired as Maharashtra DGP in 2009. He had also served as DGP of Punjab.

He had sought physical inspection of a letter sent by the Punjab government to the home ministry in 2008, file notings made by the Union home minister and officials and reply by the home ministry to Punjab. He lost his appeal at every forum. An aggrieved Virk approached the CIC saying the inspection can not in any way impede the process of investigation.

After hearing the case, information commissioner Sushma Singh noted: “During the hearing, it was informed that the charge sheet had already been framed and therefore the process of the investigation/enquiry is complete and would not be hampered by allowing the appellant to inspect the documents as requested in the RTI application.”

Hence, Singh directed the home ministry to supply Virk with the documents within 10 days. Virk told DNA: “The letter from Punjab government was sent on June 7, 2008, and the reply from the home ministry was sent back on the very next day. I wanted more details regarding that.”