The Gujarat government’s Home Department has issued a circular requiring a preliminary inquiry before filing a police FIR against a serving government officer or employee. This step aims to prevent baseless complaints and protect officials from harassment. The decision follows instances where complaints were lodged against officials due to personal disputes or administrative issues.
The circular states that police must verify facts and circumstances upon receiving a complaint against a government officer or employee. Only if the initial inquiry suggests a cognisable offense has occurred will further legal action, including FIR registration, proceed. Complaints related to land disputes, licensing matters, or administrative decisions have led to unnecessary police cases in the past.
The new guidelines also address anonymous or unsupported complaints, which may be rejected at the preliminary stage. In cases involving corruption or serious charges, approval from the competent authority is necessary before a formal investigation can begin. The Home Department emphasizes that the circular does not shield erring officials and ensures that strict action will be taken if allegations are substantiated.
