For second year straight, Maharashtra tops in corruption cases
Out of 1,279 cases in the state, the highest are trap cases (1,234) followed by disproportionate asset cases (35) and criminal misconduct cases (10)
For the second consecutive year, Maharashtra tops the chart when it comes to corrupt government servants and private individuals, as 1,279 cases were reported in 2015, revealed the statistics of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Out of 1,279 cases in the state, the highest are trap cases (1,234) followed by disproportionate asset cases (35) and criminal misconduct cases (10). The other states that followed are Madhya Pradesh (634), Odisha (456), Rajasthan (401), and Gujarat (305) among others. In all, 5,250 cases were registered across India last year.
ACB officers stated the statistics reveal that cases are being registered pro-actively. “Last year saw ACB investigating very serious frauds, such as the Maharashtra sadan scam and the irrigation scam. While it is time consuming to investigate the scams of such magnitude, we ensured that the regular trap cases were not affected,” said a high-ranking ACB officer.
In 2014, the state registered 1,316 cases out of the total 4,966 cases — registered in all 29 states and seven union territories (UTs). The state is, however, second highest when it comes to cases pending investigation from the previous year with 1,049 cases while Rajasthan was first with 1,555 cases.
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With more number of cases registered, it also has an effect on the trials. The state was highest in cases pending trail at the end of 2015 with 3,896 cases while Odisha was second with 3,494 cases. The conviction rate also presents a grim picture as 121 cases saw conviction and 402 cases saw the acquittal or discharge.
ACB officials stated that they have released mobile phone application from which people can register cases. ACB officials stated that they want co-operation from the respective departments to curb corruption. ACB stated that many government servants caught in trap cases are yet to be suspended from their departments. The non-suspension may encourage the government servants to continue with corruption.
“We tried to instil confidence in complainants and hence more and more people came forward to register cases. Due to factors such as ACB website and a helpline number, the response was good. Awareness campaigns were conducted through social medial, exhibitions while street plays at district and village level too played an important role. With using technology in trap cases, the evidences have been strengthened and hence the conviction rate will also increase,” said Praveen Dixit, former director general of police, ACB.