ACB Investigates Cases With Eyes Wired Shut

Anupam Dasgupta
Sunday, January 21, 2007 23:04 IST

DNA Analysis
The high-profile Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) doesn't have a mandate to suo moto investigate cases. This inability has put the ACB in a fix, with at least 130 complaints pending before it.

A majority of these cases deal with slum rehabilitation project frauds and official malpractice. An ACB source says that existing norms do not allow the bureau to proactively act on corruption-related complaints it receives - a major stumblingblock as the number of cases pile up every day. The ACB is mandated to deal with corruption-related cases involving state government employees. Cases involving Central government workers are dealt with the CBI's anti-corruption branches.

Pradnya Sarvade, ACB additional commissioner of police said, "It is true that we have a huge case backlog, and that many relate to the slum rehabilitation scandal."

While the ACB finds itself stymied by bureaucratic lethargy or its inherent toothlessness in being unable to take up cases suo moto, it has also been busy refurbishing itself. The bureau will soon acquire sophisticated gadgetry to trap corrupt officers, and will be able to carry out narco-analysis and polygraph tests. It has also tied up with the NGO, Karmayog, to attract "more complaints" and raise awareness about its activities.

But many believe that the bureau's "image make-over drive" and thrust to acquire sophisticated gizmos like phone and digital video recorders may help it nab more culprits, but the real enemy is within the system. Procedural hazards to effectively "deal" with cases should be resolved first.

The ACB is thus in the piquant position of being unable to take on cases where it knows there is rampant corruption without an official complaint being filed, dealing with a bureaucratic system that is out to get it and "partner" with NGOs to be more effective. This last move is aimed at evolving a sustained mechanism to engage citizens and citizens groups to report corruption cases. Another objective is to facilitate joint programmes with NGOs, social action groups and educational institutions aimed at disseminating information about corruption and its tentacles.

One of its primary aims is to recommend improvements in policies of various departments. "If its an administrative problem, the department in question has to internally institute a probe," says Hemant Karkare, ACB inspector-general. "Otherwise, the respective department has to register a complaint against an individual pointing to criminal misconduct." This problem has come up with cases relating to slum redevelopment. Money has changed hands, but the ACB has not found cooperation required to track it down.

Without these changes, the ACB might be reduced to chasing ration card officers who ask for Rs1,000 bribes while frauds into crores of rupees go unchecked.

Publicatio : DNA; Section : Mumbai; Pg: 5; Date: 22/1/07
URL : http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1075663