Vigilance probe ordered into loss of quotation files

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, September 2

A local court has ordered further Vigilance probe into loss of quotation files of the Municipal Corporation that were taken into possession during a surprise checking by a Vigilance team on July 17, 2009.

In the case, Inspector Karam Chand has been challaned by the police under Section 409 of the IPC upon the allegations that he was responsible for the loss of quotation files of the MC for the period from August 4, 2004 to March 31, 2009, which were taken into possession during a surprise checking by the Vigilance team headed by Inspector Jaswinder Kaur on July 17, 2009.

It was contended that as per the office record, files were entrusted to Inspector Jaswinder Kaur who proceeded on 60-day earned leave and at that time, Head Constable Shiv Kumar handed over these files to then Sub-Inspector Karam Chand with proper receipt on September 7, 2009.

When Inspector Karam Chand was asked about the files, he submitted a reply that as per verbal order of Parmod Kumar, the then OSD Vigilance, he had handed over the files, along with other enquiry files, to Inspector SPS Sondhi, the then SHO Vigilance, as per the general practice and he did not obtain the signatures of Inspector Sondhi. However, he contended that on July 13, 2011, a crime review meeting was held by the DIG (Vigilance) in which these files were shown to be enquired into by Inspector Dalip Rattan, the then SHO Vigilance.

The investigating agency has held Inspector Karam Chand liable on the premise that files were given to him by HC Shiv Kumar and after his transfer from the Vigilance Cell, Inspector Karam Chand did not hand over the files to anyone and he is responsible for the loss.

The court said when during crime review meeting, files were shown to be under the charge of Inspector Dalip Rattan, liability of the loss of those files could not be fastened only and solely upon SI Karam Chand only on the basis of handing over and taking over document created on September 7, 2009.

The court directed the SHO (Vigilance) to conduct further investigation into the matter and submit the report by October 14.