In a proactive operation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has made a significant arrest in Sikar, apprehending Sub-Inspector (SI) Intaj Khan for accepting a bribe. Khan, stationed at Fatehpur Sadar police station, was caught red-handed taking a bribe of Rs 50,000. The arrest follows allegations that SI Intaj Khan had demanded a bribe of one lakh rupees, causing distress to the complainant involved in a case filed at the police station.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Sikar ACB team, under the direction of ACB Jaipur’s DIG Kaluram Ravat and DSP Ravindra Singh, initiated an investigation. After verifying the complaint, a trap operation was set up on Tuesday. Subsequently, the ACB team successfully arrested SI Intaj Khan in the act of accepting a bribe of 50,000 rupees. Following the arrest, a joint operation by the ACB and police teams was conducted to search the residence and other locations associated with SI Intaj Khan.
ACB ADG Hemant Priyadarshi provided details of the case, stating that the complainant had raised concerns about SI Intaj Khan demanding a bribe of one lakh rupees, leading to harassment due to a case filed at the police station. The ongoing inquiries involve the accused SI, and search operations are underway at various locations associated with him.
However, there are times when, neglecting the thorough investigation of complaints and conducting the essential preliminary inquiries into corruption allegations, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials find themselves entangled in the intricate complexities of new laws. Despite obtaining approval for investigations in numerous cases, ACB officers are conspicuously hesitant in actively pursuing and executing those crucial investigations. According to ACB statistics spanning from January 2018 to August 2023, a substantial number of 804 complaints and 102 primary inquiry cases have been officially registered against various officers and employees implicated in corruption through the apparent misuse of their positions.
Surprisingly, out of these, ACB has neither investigated 522 complaints nor 101 primary inquiries, despite possessing crucial evidence against those involved in corrupt practices. This raises questions about the operational efficiency of ACB officers. The root of the issue lies in an amendment to the Anti-Corruption Act in July 2017. Under the new law, ACB officers can take direct action in cases involving a direct trap of the officer. However, in instances of misuse of position and cases involving income exceeding assets, ACB cannot take direct action. Instead, approval must be obtained from the head of the relevant department.
While ACB has received approval in more than 15% of the registered cases, officers are still failing to take action even after approval. In other cases, investigations have been overlooked after filing complaints and conducting primary inquiries. For instance, in the case of irregularities in video wall tenders and other tenders, the Anti-Corruption Bureau sought permission from the personnel department to question and investigate Chairman IAS Akhil Arora. However, the personnel department, headed by Chief Secretary Hemant Gera, has yet to grant approval despite receiving two reminders.
As corruption allegations linger unaddressed, the poignant question emerges: Are the wheels of justice turning too slowly? The amendment in 2017 aimed at expediting actions against corruption now raises concerns about the operational dynamics of ACB officers. With approvals granted, yet actions deferred, the essence of accountability seems lost. In the pursuit of justice, the spotlight falls on the personnel department, awaiting their nod to unravel the intricacies of alleged irregularities. The tale of corruption investigations thus takes centre stage, waiting for a resolution that echoes the commitment to transparency and accountability.
