Teachers’ job scam: CBI moves High Court against CIC order

Chandigarh Newsline: Chandigarh: Tuesday, June 26, 2012.

Refusing to divulge information pertaining to the investigation carried out by it in the controversial teachers’ recruitment scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging an order passed by the Central Information Commission (CIC). On April 2 the Central Information Commission had directed the CBI to provide information to social activist Hemant Goswami as demanded by him under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Goswami had sought information relating to the investigation done by the CBI and evidence collected by it in its initial probe wherein it had given a “clean chit”. Initially, the CBI had agreed to furnish the information.

However, after the premier agency was made a respondent in a public interest litigation (PIL) by the Punjab and Haryana High court, the CBI refused to give the information to Goswami. The scam allegedly involves the then Director Public Instructions (DPI), Samwartak Singh.

The denial of information was challenged by Goswami before the Central Information Commission (CIC). On April 2, the CIC directed the CBI to give the information, as demanded by Goswami.

Aggrieved, the Central Bureau of Investigation moved the High Court today. In its appeal, the CBI has taken the plea that handing over of the said information might hamper the prosecution of offenders.

The CBI has submitted that the information demanded under the RTI can be declined if giving such information hinders prosecution of offenders or compromises with the probe. Taking stock of the situation, a vacation bench of the High Court today issued notices to the Central Information Commission and Hemant Goswami, asking the duo to file their respective responses.

Also, the High Court has issued notices to the CIC asking it to reply as to why the implementation of its orders, dated April 2, be not stayed. The respondents have been given a month’s time to respond.

On February 21 the High Court made it clear that it cannot “shut its eyes” to an “unabashed attempt to scuttle justice” and handed over the investigation of the controversial Chandigarh teachers’ recruitment scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Delhi branch.

In an indictment and embarrassment to the Chandigarh branch of the CBI, a division bench of the High Court had ruled that “sufficient amount of suspicion has been aroused in the mind of the Court indicating a complete cover-up by the CBI Chandigarh branch”.

Chandigarh Police was slammed by the High Court for “shoddy investigation”. The directions were passed by a division bench on a petition filed by one Karamjit Singh.

The petitioner had moved the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case.