Table of Contents
Departmental enquiry — RTI for records
Direct answer. File RTI to Enquiry Officer / DA. Ask charge-memo, list of witnesses, documents relied upon, cross-examination schedule, enquiry-report.
Legal framework
- CCS (CCA) Rules 1965 Rule 14 — major-penalty enquiry.
- UoI v. Mohd Ramzan Khan (1991) — natural justice.
- Managing Director, ECIL v. Karunakar (1993) — disclosure of enquiry report.
5 questions to ask
- Charge-memo.
- Witness list.
- Documents relied upon.
- Cross-examination schedule.
- Enquiry report.
Template
To: The Public Information Officer, Disciplinary Authority / EO Subject: Application under §6 RTI Act 2005 — Enquiry records My enquiry case No. [..] — please furnish (1) charge-memo, (2) witness list, (3) documents, (4) cross-exam schedule, (5) enquiry report. Fee: Rs.10 by IPO/cash.
Common mistakes
- Not insisting on enquiry-report copy — ECIL-Karunakar gives this right.
- Missing the audit-trail ask for witness depositions.
Case law anchors
- ECIL v. Karunakar (1993) 4 SCC 727 — employee entitled to copy of enquiry report.
- Mohd Ramzan Khan (1991) 1 SCC 588 — natural justice.
Pro tips
- Engage DPC/tribunal precedents.
- Demand enquiry-report under ECIL directly.
FAQ
- Q: No chargesheet — enquiry can't start? Correct — RTI for preliminary enquiry order.
- Q: Final order without enquiry-report copy? Challenge in CAT under ECIL.
Related reading
Sources
- CCS (CCA) Rules 1965. Karunakar (1993). Mohd Ramzan Khan (1991).
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.