Dear All,
We read frequently in the newspapers stories of police personnel suspended for some action or inaction. Why is a policeman/policewoman suspended? What is the procedure required to be followed? What happens during suspension? When can a suspension order be revoked and the official reinstated? These are all mysterious procedures for ordinary citizens like you and I. Very little information about these procedures is available in the public domain.
We sought copies of Standing Orders from the Delhi Police about the procedures to be followed while suspending and reinstating an officer. The Delhi Police supplied the Standing Order on payment of a additional fee. Under the RTI Act all such Standing Orders must be disclosed proactively [see Section 4(1)(b)(iii), (iv) and (v)] through a website or other means. However the Delhi Police has not displayed these Standing Orders on its website. However we will upload this document on our website for the benefit of anybody who is interested.
We also sought information about police officers suspended between 2009-2012. Some Public Information Officers provided the information while a handful of others have prohibited access by citing the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgement in the matter of Girish Ramachandra Deshpande vs Central Information Commission and Ors. [SLP(Civil) 27734 of 2012]. Suspension and reinstatement orders are being treated by some PIOs of Delhi Police as matters personal to their personnel. While the Delhi Police may claim that they are ill-equipped to handle many situations, their PIOs seem to be better equipped with knowledge of latest RTI judgements, particularly for denying access to information.
Shortly, we will send a critical analysis of the Supreme Court judgement, as also information about suspended and reinstated police officers received from other PIOs. Until then kindly circulate this information widely.
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Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Venkatesh Nayak
Programme Coordinator
Access to Information Programme
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
B-117, First Floor, Sarvodaya Enclave
New Delhi- 110 017, INDIA
Tel: +91-11-43180215/ 43180201
Fax: +91-11-26864688
Skype: venkatesh.nayak@skype.com
Alternate Email: nayak.venkatesh@gmail.com
Website: www.humanrightsinitiative.org