Inquiry officer

Who can be an enquiry Officer ? The enquiry officer must be an impartial person who is not an interested party in the case.  The authority to take penal action, the authority who is to hear appeal on the penalty, the persons who made the complaint, the persons who are witnesses in the case cannot act as Enquiry officer.  Some standing orders do not permit the Welfare Officer appointed under Section 49 of the Factories Act 1948 to act as Enquiry Officer.  

Rule 14 (15)  (b) of CCS(CC&A) Rules rpovide that b)        If no written statement of defence is submitted by the Government servant, the disciplinary authority may itself inquire into the articles of charge, or may, if it considers it necessary  to do so, appoint, under sub-rule (2), an inquiring authority for the purpose.

Thereis no stipulation for the IO to be Govt officer.