Straight answers

Dr P S Pasricha, Director General of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), On the arrest of DGP Rahul Gopal and the rising corruption in the state The arrest of a high-ranking officer like Rahul Gopal has come as a shock. Is the ACB armed with evidence in the case? We have enough evidence otherwise we wouldn't have arrested a senior officer like him.How many more arrests are likely in this case? We cannot say at this stage. We don't pre-plan and it has to come naturally. In recent times, Mumbai has seen many high-ranking police and other government officers allegedly involved in corruption. Are we heading towards a disaster? Not at all. In Maharashtra, the police force is so dynamic that if needed, they will not hesitate to take action against their own colleagues involved in corruption and other illegal activities. The force is going according to the law while cleaning the system. As ACB chief what are your plans to curb corruption? We have imparted special training to our officers with the help of the CBI, Income Tax department and other financial experts so they know how to undertake certain inquiries. We are undergoing modernisation and getting special gazettes for recording. We are creating awareness among the public. We want to encourage the common man to come forward with complaints. We are also taking the help of NGOs to form local vigilance cells because curbing corruption is a collective responsibility. But first our actions should speak and only then we can form such cells. Our actions are showing results as is evident from the cases made by the ACB. Gopal once served in the ACB as a senior officer. How do you keep a check on postings in the ACB? The suggestions and recommendations of the National Police Commission and Ribeiro committee should be considered seriously to keep a check on the same. manish.pachouly@timesgroup.com