Departmental enquiry — RTI for records

Departmental enquiry — RTI for records — RTI Wiki

Direct answer. File RTI to Enquiry Officer / DA. Ask charge-memo, list of witnesses, documents relied upon, cross-examination schedule, enquiry-report.

  • 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

  1. Charge-memo.
  2. Witness list.
  3. Documents relied upon.
  4. Cross-examination schedule.
  5. 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.

Sources

  1. CCS (CCA) Rules 1965. Karunakar (1993). Mohd Ramzan Khan (1991).

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.

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