Make public forensic reports in Bhushan CD case: CIC

The Central Information Commission has directed the Delhi Police and Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh to make public forensic reports in the alleged doctored CD case carrying conversation among lawyers Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, Amar Singh and Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Information Commissioner Sushma Singh gave this directive overruling the objections raised by Delhi Police which said disclosure of forensic reports on the CD would impede the process of investigation and prosecution of offenders.

The case relates to an RTI applicant who demanded from the Prime Minister's Office, Home Ministry and CFSL, Chandigarh the forensic reports on the CD in which Shanti Bhushan is allegedly telling Yadav and Singh that his son Prashant can "manage a judge".

All these applications were referred to Delhi Police for replying which objected to the disclosure.

After the CD came into circulation, Shanti Bhushan had filed a complaint with Delhi Police on April 14, alleging that the disc was fabricated and denied having any conversation with Yadav and Singh.

Delhi Police had got the CD examined at CFSL, Delhi, CFSL, Chandigarh as well as CERT-In, a department under Ministry of Communications and Information and Technology which gave divergent opinions after analysing the CD.

"It is apparently clear that the investigation...is closed and the final report to be prepared under Section 173 CrPC has already been submitted to the learned court. As a result, Commission is of the views that respondents (Delhi

Police) are prohibited from outrightly invoking the exemption clause...while denying the information," Singh said ordering disclosure of the reports.