HC questions FIR on anonymous plaint

Chandigarh, September 2

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Punjab Director of Vigilance Bureau to explain the registration of an FIR against a retired employee on the basis of an anonymous complaint regarding alleged variations in her date of birth certificate, after describing the action as “quite disturbing”.

The direction by Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu came on a petition filed by Amarjit Kaur against the State of Punjab. The Bench observed it was quite disturbing that the FIR had been registered against the petitioner on July 16 for cheating and other offences under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, and 471 of the IPC at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Ludhiana.

Justice Sindhu observed she retired from service on November 30, 2016. The allegations against her were that in 1968, when she was VI standard student her date of birth was recorded as January 6, 1957. But it was mentioned as November 29, 1958, in class VIII.

Justice Sindhu further observed the paper-book revealed that six departmental inquires were conducted against the petitioner, but she was exonerated on all occasions and now the FIR was registered on the basis of some anonymous complaint.

Faced with the situation, the state counsel sought time to seek instructions for taking corrective measures in the matter. Fixing November 17 as the next date of hearing, Justice Sindhu added: “Let Director of Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, file his affidavit disclosing the reasons for registration of the present FIR on the basis of anonymous complaint at such a belated stage, before next date of hearing”.

The petitioner was also asked to join investigation. In the event of her arrest, the arresting officer was directed to admit her to interim bail till the next date of hearing on her furnishing adequate bail and surety bonds. — TNS