Is the PO entitled to have copies of the additional documents demanded by the CO?
16. Is the PO entitled to have copies of the additional documents demanded by the CO? As the Charged Officer is entitled for the copies of the listed documents, the Presenting Officer is also entitled for the copies of the documents relied upon by the Charged Officer. He is also entitled to peruse the originals of these documents. These documents will be collected by the Inquiry Officer and will not be under the custody of the Charged Officer. Hence, the Presenting Officer will have to request the Inquiry Officer for the copies of these documents and the perusal of the originals. The PO has to carefully go through the documents cited by the Charged Officer and try to anticipate as to how the Charged Officer will draw support from the same. As the Charged Officer will submit his written brief only after the submission of brief by the Presenting Officer, there is no way for the Presenting Officer to understand as to how the Charged Officer relies upon the documents for the purpose of his defence. Presenting Officer can only anticipate this and accordingly do the needful in his written brief.