The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Thursday reserved its order on a petition moved by IPS officer Rahul Sharma challenging the departmental proceedings initiated against him by the state government for not submitting the original CDs containing phone call records of the 2002 riots to the concerned authorities. The tribunal bench of Ashok Kumar and Chameli Majumdar reserved the order while directing both sides to submit their final arguments by March 20. The tribunal has also ordered extension of the deadline for Sharma to file a reply to the governments chargesheet till the order in his petition before the CAT. Sharma had moved the petition alleging he was being victimised by the state government for deposing before the Nanavati Commission and amicus curaie of the Supreme Court,Raju Ramchandran,in connection with the 2002 riots. The bench has heard the petition on the limited issue whether he enjoys immunity under section 6 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act (CIA),1952,from all civil and criminal proceeding. The section 6 of CIA provides protection to witness against statements made by him before a commission of inquiry. The state government has opposed Sharmas contention claiming there was no connection between the chargesheet filed against Sharma and his deposition before the riot probe panel.
