Want evidence? File an FIR, order probe, DGP dares PSPCL
Nitin Jain

Chandigarh

It may spell more trouble for the PSPCL bigwigs, and those involved in what has the trappings of a big recruitment scam. The DGP (Security and Vigilance), Punjab Powercom Sanjiv Gupta, has dared PSPCL officials to get a criminal case registered on the basis of his inquiry report. He has also asked them to hand over further investigations to an independent authority to bring on record detailed evidence on the recruitment of engineers by PSPCL.

The DGP, who prima facie found the entire examination process vitiated, has shot off a letter to PSPCL Director, Human Resources, after the latter asked for documentary evidences and proofs on the basis of which conclusions have been arrived at in his report. Daily Post has in possession a copy of the letter.

“In case you want to know the need for documentary evidences or proofs, or the basis of conclusions of my report, it is suggested that a criminal case based on my inquiry report be got registered and investigations transferred to an independent authority so that detailed evidence can be brought on file, and statements recorded as the present scope of my

inquiry did not allow the same in view of the difference between the process of holding inquiry and investigation,” Gupta wrote in a strongly-worded communication.

The DGP said that investigations could be carried out only after registration of a case. “You may, therefore, like to get a case registered and get it investigated by constituting a SIT or through State Vigilance Bureau, or through any other independent agency with a view to provide sufficient documentary evidences or proofs to confirm or disapprove the conclusion drawn in my inquiry report,” he advocated.

Reacting to the objection of PSPCL officials that he had exceeded the brief and terms of inquiry, the DGP argued, “The scope of inquiry cound not have been confined

only to tracing out the MMS details as during the course of inquiry, different candidates were contacted and questioned, who brought many facts to our notice, which had a direct bearing on the entire conduct of examinations as well as use

of mobile phones for MMS, SMS or verbal communications.”

Gupta made it clear that the possibility of use of mobile numbers, other than those given by the candidates in their application forms, could not be ruled out.

The technology available does not make it possible to specify all the MMS, SMS originating or culminating in specific examination centres, as multiple tower locations overlap in their area of coverage, and are unable to decipher the exact

locations of the mobile phones being used, he pointed out, while stressing the fact that search can only specify the area of tower locations from where various messages or calls originate or terminate.

During the course of inquiry, the DGP had sent details of the mobile numbers of all candidates appearing for both Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer examinations to all service providers through ADGP (Intelligence) for verification of MMS sent or received on those numbers during the course of the examination.

However, Intelligence officials told the DGP that the entire data was very voluminous and service providers were finding it difficult to search for MMS details.