120 caught taking bribe, none convicted

Bhandara: In yet another example of poor conviction rate in corruption cases, there hasn’t been a single conviction in 120 cases of bribery registered by Anti-Corruption Bureau, Bhandara division in the last seven years. The ACB had caught the accused red handed while accepting bribe, but none was slapped with any penal action or even fine. Bhandara has a fullfledged office of deputy superintendent of police of ACB.Government employees, officers, semi-government employees, officers, members and office-bearers of gram panchayat, panchayat samiti, zilla parishad and others come under the jurisdiction of ACB.
In the seven years from 2007 to 2015, ACB offences were registered against a variety of government employees including superintending engineer, executive engineer, deputy engineer, trhsildar, nayab tehsildar, revenue inspector, patwari, government hospital doctor, veterinary doctor, sarpanch and others.
Cases were filed against them in court. Despite trials, in the final judgement, the court set them free. Recently, a ZP education officer was set free.
When contacted, DySP ACB Dinkar Savarkar said that ACB submits proofs, statements of government witnesses and other relevant documents before the court. “Although the government pleader presents the ACB’s side forcefully, still accused are not convicted. They might getting benefit of doubt.”
After receiving a complaint, ACB office verifies the complaint and then a trap is laid. When a person is caught while accepting bribe, an offence is registered against him/her and the accused is arrested.
At the time of trap, two witnesses, who are government employees, are also present. Most of the legal formalities are completed on the spot itself. After completing the investigation, a case is filed against the accused in the court.
With the new superintendent of police taking over, there is hope that the conviction rate may improve.