'Disclose file notes of ex-Maharashtra DGP's extension of service'

[Atul Patankar 536]

As reported at timesofindia.indiatimes.com on Oct 6, 2010

 

NEW DELHI: Central Information Commission has directed the home ministry to disclose the file notes related to "extension of service" of then Maharashtra director general of police S S Virk.

 

An RTI applicant had sought to know details and file notes related to service extension to Virk, who retired in last October without any extension from the state government.

 

Virk, an IPS officer of 1970 batch, succeeded A N Roy as DGP, Maharashtra whose appointment was set aside by the Bombay High Court on February 5, 2009, saying that the selection process was "arbitrary", violating constitutional principle of equality and the Supreme Court's guidelines.

 

The Padma awardee officer had sought extension of his tenure by two years in keeping with the practice to give a two-year extension to DGPs. However, Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) refused to grant extension to Virk, and directed the state government to decide on it by October 31, 2009. Later, The state government did not extend his tenure.

 

The RTI request was rejected by the ministry on the grounds that disclosure of information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders.