STAGE 1 STAGE 2 Investigation/ Fact Finding Formal Inquiry by Enquiry/Preliminary Enquiry ‘Inquiring Authority’ On receipt of a complaint, the ICC If the Disciplinary Authority thinks fit conducts an investigation to ascertain to initiate a formal enquiry against the whether there is prima facie substance charged officer, the ICC is mandated to in the allegations which call for a act as an „Inquiring Authority‟ as per formal inquiry. This fact-finding Rule 14(2) of the CCS (CCA) Rules enquiry/investigation is carried out by 1965. Thus, the ICC is said to play a collecting documentary evidence as dual role- firstly, of an investigator in well as recording statements of any the „Stage 1‟ inquiry proceedings; and possible witnesses including the secondly, of an impartial authority complainant. The report of said fact(„Inquiring Authority‟) having the same finding inquiry is then submitted to the powers as are vested in a civil court „Disciplinary Authority‟ which under the Code of Civil Procedure, decides upon whether a 1908 when trying a suit. The Inquiring „Memorandum of Charges‟ (formal Authority examines the prosecution and chargesheet) is required to be drawn defence evidence led before it and on the basis of the said fact-finding accordingly, makes recommendations inquiry report. If yes, then after so as to grant appropriate relief, if any, affording the charged officer his right to the aggrieved woman/ complainant, to be heard and considering his which marks the formal culmination of defence, the Disciplinary Authority the inquiry stage. shall decide as to whether a subsequent formal inquiry is required to be issued against the accused employee/charged officer concerned.
