BHUBANESWAR: The State Vigilance unearthed tainted assets to the tune of Rs 115.32 crore accumulated by public servants as well as some private individuals during its crackdown against corruption in 2016.
The anti-corruption agency, which registered 575 criminal cases, booked 162 Class-I officers during the same period. Another 104 Class-II officers and 833 Class-III officers were also netted by the Vigilance, revealed department’s annual report.
Out of 192 Vigilance cases, which were disposed by the trial Courts, 83 ended in conviction pegging the conviction rate at 47 per cent. The anti-corruption wing’s conviction rate has shown a decline in the past few years, from 55 percent in 2013 to 47 percent during 2015 and 2016. As many as 95 cases ended in acquittal while 18 cases were dropped.
During the period, the Special Courts disposed eight cases, out of which, five ended in conviction, two in acquittal and one case was abated. The Vigilance Department initiated confiscation proceedings of disproportionate assets in 14 cases and final orders for confiscation of property have been passed in three cases.
The anti-corruption agency laid 233 traps and held Government servants while accepting illegal gratifications totaling to Rs 33.22 lakh. Bribery proceedings were instituted against 248 public servants and seven private persons during the same period.
The Vigilance initiated 661 enquiries against 730 persons which includes 74 Class-I officers and 112 Class-II officers. A total of 183 enquiries was referred to different departments for initiation of departmental proceeding and 139 enquiries were closed.
Sales Tax Wing of the Vigilance has detected 48 tax evasion cases and collected `20 crore as tax and penalty. Similarly, the Forest Wing of the agency has conducted 110 raids and seized illegal timber and other forest produces worth `2.86 lakh.
The thrust areas of the agency will be preventive vigilance and strengthening internal watch on corruption. Besides, capacity building in emerging areas like cyber forensic, call analysis, forensic accounting and digital forensic and enhanced use of modern tools and technology in investigation will be emphasised in 2017, Vigilance sources said.