Notification

NOTIFICATION

Legal Department

Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar

Dated the 26 November, 2013

Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952

No. GK/45/ 2013/COl/ 102013/153/A: WHEREAS certain news items have appeared in the print and electronic media quoting certain audio tapes published on web portals “Cobra Post” and “Gulail.com” regarding some alleged incident/s of security/surveillance of a woman in the State of Gujarat in 2009;

AND WHEREAS the said news items are connected with the questions regarding policing and other issues concerning the governance;

AND WHEREAS it is in larger public interest to gather, assimilate and establish the truth;

AND WHEREAS it is in the interest of justice that the image and/or identity of the women in question is not jeopardised;

AND WHEREAS the Government of Gujarat is of the considered opinion that an inquiry should be held/ conducted into this matter of definite public importance;

NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the Government of Gujarat hereby appoints a two-member Commission of Inquiry consisting of Hon. Justice (Retd) Ms. Sugnyaben K. Bhatt, former Judge of the High Court of Gujarat and Shri K.C. Kapoor, IAS (Retd), Retired Additional Chief Secretary as its members.

Justice (Retd) Ms. Sugnyaben Bhatt shall be the Chairperson of the Commission.

The Commission shall inquire into and report on and in respect of the following terms of reference.

(i) The authenticity and veracity of the said tapes;

(ii) Whether the incident(s) of security/surveillance as alleged in the web portals “Cobra Post” and “Gulail.com” and subsequently published/telecast in various news media actually took place;

(iii) The facts, circumstances reasons and causes that led to the alleged security/surveillance, if any, and/or steps taken by the government agencies;

(iv) Whether there was any breach of or noncompliance with any laid down mandatory legal provisions and/or administrative procedures in the process.

(v) Whether the circumstances leading to the release of the audio tapes after a long gap of four years reveal any conspiracy;

(vi) What shall be the objective considerations while arranging discreet security to a woman if the circumstances so warrant;

The Commission shall submit its report to the State government within a period of three months.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Gujarat,

Sd/- (I. D. Patel)

Joint Secretary to Government