Information Commission pulls up Home Ministry over crucial file

Where are the 50-year-old records related to the government’s recognition of Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan as the ‘ruler of Hyderabad State’, the Central Information Commission has asked as it pulled up the Home Ministry, which said it was clueless about the crucial file.

Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad has also marked a copy of his order to the Union Home Secretary with the recommendation that a committee should be constituted to identify such files of historical importance and ensure that they were handed over to the National Archives.

“It would also be in order that the process of transfer of files to the Archives, which was initiated in 1981, is monitored in the correct fashion so that chronology is maintained in the transfer of files. This would be a real treasure house for the researchers and scholars as well as the public at large while browsing through the pages of history,” he noted in a recent order.

Fresh search ordered

He directed the Ministry to conduct a fresh search in the light of the document and if the file is traced, provide a copy of the certified information as sought by RTI applicant Sayed Khaliq.

The roots of the case go to the late Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last ruler of the princely state who had nominated his grandson Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan, also known as Mukarram Jah Bahadur, as his successor making him the titular Nizam.

He had sought recognition of the government of India for it. A ‘certificate of recognition’ was issued by the Union government with effect from February 24, 1967 — the date on which the Nizam died.

Nawab Khan came into possession of all the moveable and immovable properties of the Nizam making him one of the richest men in India.