CHANDIGARH, May 20 -- The Punjab State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the director general of police (DGP) to ensure immediate handover of official records and charge by police personnel after transfers, amid repeated lapses affecting Right to Information (RTI) cases. The commission observed that several police personnel failed to transfer complaint-related records even years after being shifted from their postings, leading to the denial of information sought under the RTI Act and causing administrative lapses within the police department. The directions were issued by chief information commissioner Inderpal Singh while hearing an appeal filed by Vinay Kumar Sharma against the office of the Mohali senior superintendent of police (SSP). During the May 7 hearing, the respondent public information officer-cum-SHO, Kharar, informed the commission that records related to a complaint sought under the RTI Act had not been handed over by the transferred assistant sub-inspector, Bhag Singh. Calling the practice, a "serious violation of established office procedures", the commission directed that a copy of the orders be sent to the DGP for issuance of statewide instructions mandating officers to hand over records immediately or within the prescribed period after transfer.HTC...