What is the role of the PO in collecting the additional documents demanded by the CO

14. What is the role of the PO in collecting the additional documents demanded by the CO? Often, the Inquiry Officers request the Presenting Officer to collect the documents required by the Charged Officer for the purpose of his defence. This practice is likely to vitiate the inquiry and must be strictly avoided. The documents required by the Charged Officer must reach the Inquiry Officer direct from the custodian of the documents. Collection of the documents by the Presenting Officer may result in allegation being leveled by the Charge Officer that the documents were tampered while under the custody of the Presenting Officer. If the Inquiry Officer requests the Presenting Officer to collect these documents, the latter should politely apprise the former of the problems involved. However there can be no objection to the Presenting Officer transiting these documents in sealed covers from the custodian of the documents to the Inquiry Officer.