A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Advocate H C Arora seeking quashing of the appointments. Notices have also been issued to officials concerned, whose appointments, as per the PIL, have been made without inviting applications from other eligible persons. Further, the officials appointed by the SIC are not eligible for the posts under the Punjab government rule, as all of them have retired from different posts after attaining the age of superannuation.

Applications and bio-data of these officials were received directly by the Information Commission and were recommended by some of the employees of the commission. The petitioner claimed, “These appointments have been made by bidding good-bye to transparency, for which the State Information Commission should act as a torch-bearer for other public institutions.”

Reference to documents enclosed and averments made in the PIL revealed that one N K Kalia, aged about 68 years, was appointed as Reader, despite the fact that he had a typing speed of eight words per minute in the typing test conducted by the commission, whereas the other candidate with 40 words per minute speed was ignored.

Arora has further alleged in his petition that the reason for his appointment being apparent from the minutes of his selection dated September 7, 2006 signed by Rajan Kashyap, CSICP, which reads “The SIC, PK Verma, spoke to me regarding NK Kalia who had worked as his private secretary. Verma vouches for his skill as well as integrity. Kalia has a good career profile. He might perhaps be out of touch with computer and typing since he retired some years ago. In view of Verma’s recommendation we may appoint him as Reader on one year contract on the normal terms for retired officers in the commission.”

Court records statement in sexual harassment case

CHANDIGARH: A German woman, Ficstner along with her husband today appeared in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Y S Rathore to record her statement in a case of sexual harassment which dates back to 1999. The orders demanding their presence was passed by the judge to ensure that their statements are recorded in the case. They are also witnesses of the prosecution in the case.

The woman had had filed a complaint against Suresh Kumar, an employee of the Reserve Bank of India of sexually harassing her when she had gone to the bank in 1999 to exchange currency.

A case under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against him by the Chandigarh Police. The case was pending ever since.