Karnataka ACB receives 2K petitions in six months

The state’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested 73 people in connection with corruption cases since it began operations on April 1.

BENGALURU: The state’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested 73 people in connection with corruption cases since it began operations on April 1. Bengaluru city has earned the notorious tag of having the maximum number of arrests.

Despite stiff opposition from various quarters against the ACB, the government went ahead with its move to set it up as a statutory authority to investigate graft offences through a government order issued on March 14.

Speaking to Express from his swanky new office at Kanija Bhavan on Race Course Road, Inspector General of Police, ACB, M A Saleem, said the public is slowly warming up to the existence of the new body and have started approaching it to file their petitions.

“The last three months in particular have seen a litany of complaints across the 30 ACB offices in the state,” he said.

Publicity measures seem to have played a big role in spreading awareness. “The entry into social media by July-end, advertisements in newspapers, hoardings in public places and prominent display of its work and contact details including helpline numbers, have played a key role,” Saleem said.

On major cases it is presently probing, the IGP said, “We have written to the state government to give us permission to probe six top officials in various government bodies. Since they are still in their post, we need to get the government’s permission to go ahead.” He refused to divulge details about the individuals.

Among the top people arrested by the ACB in the last three months was a corporator and a joint director of the Social Welfare Department in Tumakuru and a Town Panchayat member in Shivamogga district.

Asked if the ACB required more teeth in its fight against corruption, Saleem said, “We have all the power needed. The Prevention of Corruption Act is being implemented by us entirely. We have powers to register cases, conduct raids, make seizures, arrest individuals and file chargesheets.”

The future of the ACB looks promising, he said. “Officers with sound integrity have been posted all over the state and there is so much positivity shown by the public towards us,” the IGP said.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com