RR Patil wants answers

The three clerks, facing action for the disappearance and resurfacing of a file purchase of bullet-proof jackets from city police commissioner’s office, as well as the police officers who are accountable for the same have to explain to the home department why it happened.

The three clerks, facing action for the disappearance and resurfacing of a file purchase of bullet-proof jackets from city police commissioner’s office, as well as the police officers who are accountable for the same have to explain to the home department why it happened.

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After a meeting with city police commissioner D. Sivanandhan, Home Minister R.R. Patil directed the department to seek an explanation from the officers who should have been responsible for the file.

“The whole episode is shocking. How can a file on a serious subject go missing for months and later resurface. Patil wants each and everyone who was responsible to clarify on this. And it is not just clerks, the officers in charge of the concerned departments would have to explain why it happened,” said an official.

The orders to this effect were likely to be issued either late on Thursday or on Friday.

On Thursday, it emerged that the missing file had resurfaced and three clerks from the commissioner’s office face suspension. An inquiry conducted by additional commissioner of police (operations) Sandeep Bishnoi found that the file was in the office all the while though it was reported missing.

The missing file resurfaced only after purchase orders for fresh supplies of bullet-proof jackets were issued. The whole issue came under spotlight following a public interest litigation filed by social activist S. Daundkar alleging that the jackets were purchased from a company that was not in the business of producing specialized nylon based armour for bulletproof jackets.