Information regarding processing of complaint by CBI

Background

The applicant was an employee of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). A complaint was registered against him and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was investigating into it. He filed an RTI application with the CBI seeking information relating to an observation report which the CBI had sent to the State government concerning him. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided some information which was endorsed by the FAA. The appellant filed the second appeal before the CIC arguing that the PIO should have provided the copies of the observations made by the superior officers who had decided that this matter be referred to the State Government. He submitted that since he was a State Government employee, the CBI could not have investigated a complaint against him and he should be advised about the statutory provision based on which the CBI had taken up this complaint against him. The respondent clarified that the complaint against the appellant was discreetly enquired and based on the information gathered from sources it was found that the role of the appellant needed to be looked into. Subsequently the entire matter had been sent to the State Government for further necessary action and that the CBI did not have any other information in this regard. 

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that the appellant has a right to get the copies of any file noting or comments in which the complaint had been processed before deciding to refer the matter to the State Government. The Commission directed the PIO to provide the photocopy of the relevant file noting showing the comments and observations of various officers of the CBI on the complaint and on the decision to forward the matter to the State Government. 

Citation: Dr. Ashwini K. Sood v. Central Bureau of Investigation in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/000244