CAT relief for Gujarat IPS officer Rahul Sharma

Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that IPS officer Rahul Sharma was charge-sheeted with regard to missing CD of phone-call records relating to the 2002 riots period only on the basis of his deposition before the Nanavati Commission. CAT has also stayed the proceedings against Sharma.

It said in the order pronounced yesterday that Sharma enjoys immunity under section 6 of Commission of Inquiry Act. The section provides protection from prosecution to the witnesses with regard to statements made before a commission.

The Tribunal bench of Ashok Kumar and Chameli Majumdar yesterday admitted Sharma's petition challenging the charge-sheet, and stayed all proceedings against him. The CAT also issued a notice to the state government, seeking reply to the IPS officer's petition within two weeks. Sharma is to file rejoinder within a week thereafter, and next hearing will be on April 27.