Public Information Officer of CVC calling for evidence

Dear Client,
When you made a complaint against a public servant to CVC, there is no role of a PIO designated by a public authority under RTI Act, 2005 to provide information as defined under Section 2(f) of the Act and typically, there is provision for asking evidence from the applicant under RTI Act. Even, PIO is not a defined role or position under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. The CVC is the "designated agency" to handle complaint of Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer (PIDPI) under the CVC Act and headed by the "Chief Vigilance Officer" (CVO). It appears that query from CVC is related to verification process of your complaint. In a complaint to CVC, the complainant must provide his or her name, address, and contact information, as anonymous complaints are not entertained by the Commission and while complainant identity is protected, the CVC will neither issue an acknowledgment of the complaint nor, initiate any action in a complaint until verification of the identity of the complainant is completed. So, in the given scenario, since the verification process of your complaint is yet to be completed, you should write to CVC explaining the nature of calls and text messages you are receiving from a person claiming himself to be PIO asking evidence from the complainant to access the necessity and veracity of that calls and the caller and act or react accordingly on receipt of reply from the CVC.

Dear client,

Receiving informal phone calls or WhatsApp messages from an individual claiming to be the Public Information Officer (PIO) or any official of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and requesting evidence or information is not a standard or legitimate procedure. The CVC, being a statutory body established under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, follows formal communication protocols. All official communications are made through written correspondence, official emails from the cvc.gov.in domain, or registered postal letters. Personal calls, WhatsApp messages, or other informal communication channels are not recognized as legitimate means of contact in matters relating to vigilance complaints.

As per standard procedure, after a complaint is lodged with the CVC, the complainant may receive a written intimation or email seeking clarification or supporting documents. Such communication will always bear the official letterhead of the CVC or originate from an authorized government email address. The identity of the concerned officer is verifiable, and all exchanges are recorded in the official registry to maintain confidentiality, traceability, and procedural transparency. Any deviation from this protocol may not only violate internal procedures but could also risk the security and integrity of the complaint process.

Therefore, if a complainant receives calls or messages through WhatsApp or personal numbers requesting documents or evidence, they should exercise extreme caution. No documents, evidence, or sensitive information should be shared over such unofficial channels. The complainant should insist that any official request be made through a verifiable and traceable medium, such as an email from the CVC’s domain or a signed official letter.

It is also advisable to bring such incidents to the notice of the Central Vigilance Commission in writing, mentioning the date, time, and details of the caller, and requesting confirmation of whether such communication was officially authorized. This not only ensures the complainant’s safety and confidentiality but also helps the Commission take corrective action if procedural norms have been breached.

If the caller was genuinely associated with the CVC but acted informally, reporting the matter will help the Commission reinforce proper protocol and prevent future lapses. Where any suspicion of misconduct or impersonation arises, the complainant may also consider filing a representation with senior officials of the CVC or seeking verification through an RTI application.

In conclusion, no evidence or confidential material should be shared via informal communication platforms such as WhatsApp or personal calls. All legitimate interactions with the CVC must occur only through official and verifiable channels, in accordance with established administrative procedures, to protect the complainant’s rights and the integrity of the vigilance process.