Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 7: Corruption cases in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed a significant increase, with 128 cases reported under the Prevention of Corruption Act and related sections of the IPC in the Union Territory in the year 2022.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, there was a consistent decline in the number of corruption cases reported in J&K from 2018 to 2020.
The figures, show that while 82 corruption cases were reported in 2018, the numbers decreased to 73 in 2019 and further to 71 in 2020. However, the trend took a sharp turn with 94 cases reported in 2021 and a notable rise to 128 cases in 2022.
The data specifies that the cases reported under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Vigilance, and other agencies, include 65 trap cases, 13 cases of disproportionate assets, one case of criminal misconduct, and 49 other cases.
The statistics reveal that by the end of the year 2021, 398 corruption cases were pending in the UT. In the subsequent year, 128 fresh cases were reported, six cases were reopened for investigation, two cases were transferred to other states or agencies, 29 cases had final reports submitted, 49 cases were chargesheeted and 452 cases were still pending as of the end of 2022.
Revealing details about the court disposal of cases by anti-corruption, vigilance and other agencies, the data indicates that by the end of 2021, 606 cases were pending trial. In the year 2022, 49 cases were sent for trial, bringing the total number of cases to 655. Seven cases were abated by the court, five cases were quashed, 12 cases were disposed of without trial, and five cases were stayed.
The statistics further reveal that two cases resulted in convictions, two cases were discharged, 10 cases were acquitted, trials of 14 cases were completed and 26 cases were disposed of by the courts. Currently, 629 cases are pending trials, with a conviction rate of 14.3 percent and a pendency percentage of 96 percent.
In terms of actions taken by the court, the data shows that 485 individuals have been arrested in J&K, 386 persons have been chargesheeted, two persons convicted, six persons discharged and 18 acquitted.
However, under departmental action, no individuals have been dismissed from service on corruption charges or imprisoned, and only two persons were awarded minor punishments, as per the available data.
