Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

General Question about Ombudsman's office and its working

• Does the Ombudsman deal individually with each case?

Filing Complaints

General questions related to filing a complaint

• How can complaints be filed before the Ombudsman?
• Who can file a complaint?
• Does a complaint filed in the Office of the Ombudsman cost anything?
• What type of complaints are entertained?
• Is there any time limit for lodging a complaint?
• Can an aggrieved person approach the Ombudsman even if a similar complaint has already been decided by some other court or is still pending adjudication before a court?

Legal & Procedural

Questions related to legality and/or procedures involved

• Does the complainant have to appear in person during investigation of complaint?
• How long does a complaint take to decide?
• By whom can complaints be lodged in the office?
• Against which Departments can the Ombudsman Punjab entertain complaints?
• Is it mandatory to first approach higher officers of the Department / Agency concerned for redress of grievances prior to filing a complaint before the Ombudsman?
• Can a govt. servant also approach the office of the Ombudsman for redressal of his grievances against his own or any other Department?
• Is there any provision in the law to punish those who lodge false and frivolous complaints?
• What type of evidence is required to prove the allegations contained in the complaint?
• What authority does the Ombudsman exercise to compel any person to attend the proceedings and produce the requisite record?
• Can the Ombudsman compel any person/Agency to produce the secret information/documents before the investigating officer?

Decissions

Questions related to decission of the Ombudsman

• What legal remedy is available to a person aggrieved of a decision of the Ombudsman?
• Can the Ombudsman award costs compensation and order refund of amounts? If it can, how is the awarded amount recovered?