Central Information Commission
Mr.Balwant Singh vs Ministry Of Defence on 13 August, 2012
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No. 308, B-Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
File No. CIC/LS/A/2012/000503
Appellant : Balwant Singh
Respondent : Indian Army
Date of hearing : 13.8.2012
Date of decision : 13.8.2012
FACTS
Heard today dated 13.8.2012. Appellant present. The Army is represented by Sub. Madan Mohan.
2. The appellant is the father of late Havaldar Avtar Singh. As per material on record, it appears that Avtar Singh died in a rail accident on 15.8.2005 while on patrol duty. As per records, he was being accompanied by two soldiers, namely, Shri Amin Khan and Shri S. K. Singh at the relevant time. As per their statements, the accident occurred as the train came all of a sudden and deceased Avtar Singh could not get away from the railway track.
3. A Court of Inquiry was conducted into this matter and a copy thereof has been provided to the appellant. During the hearing, the appellant submits that he is not satisfied with the Court of Inquiry. He suspects that his daughter-in-law is involved in the conspiracy to have his son murdered. In the appeal memo filed before this Commission, the appellant has requested for a copy of the inquiry report. However, during the hearing, it transpires that the same has already been provided to him. The main grievance of the appellant now is that the inquiry has not been conducted properly. Besides, he also wishes to know whether his son was in uniform while one patrol duty and whether he was having a fire arm at that time. It is explained to the appellant that this Commission has no authority to go into the question of the merits of the CoI a copy of which has already been provided to him by the CPIO along with copies of the statements of the witnesses recorded in this connection. He is advised to approach the superior authorities of the Army if he is not satisfied with the CoI. In the premises, the Commission is constrained to close the matter.
Sd/-
(M.L. Sharma) Central Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against application and payment of the charges, prescribed under the Act, to the CPIO of this Commission.
(K L Das) Dy. Registrar Address of parties
1. Lt. Col. & CPIO AOC Records, PIN 900453, C/O 56 APO
2. Shri Balwant Singh Dashmesh Nagar, Bhawnigarh, Sangrur, Punjab-148026