The PIO has been asked to appear in person by the State Information Commissioner to explain as to why no action should be taken against him for deliberately concealing the information asked for by the petitioner, an advocate.

The petitioner had sought all relevant documents, including applications submitted by candidates, orders passed by the competent authority on those applications, the copies of appointment letters and minutes of the proceedings of the Selection Committee with regards to various appointments made by the university during the tenure of former vice-chancellor S S Boparai.

The university failed to supply the entire record, which runs into over 12,500 pages, within the stipulated period of 30 days as a result of which it had to supply them free of cost thereby incurring a loss of over Rs 25,000. Moreover when the record was supplied, it was found that the documents, including applications, appointment letters and the addresses of persons concerned were ‘defaced’ by either splashing ink on it or by overwriting on the addresses thereby making the record illegible, the petitioner alleged.

Advocate H C Arora alleged the tampering was done intentionally to conceal the addresses of the candidates who had been illegally appointed during the Boparai’s tenure.