Forum seeks speedy action on ACB cases in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The Forum for Good Governance has urged the state government to streamline procedures for the timely disposal of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) cases.

The forum said that in trap and disproportionate assets cases, prosecution should be initiated within six months of registration. However, it alleged that abnormal delays occur in granting prosecution permission. "Manipulations take place in the Secretariat and, instead of prosecution, cases are diverted to departmental inquiries, the Commissioner of Inquiries or the Tribunal for disciplinary proceedings. This paves the way for eventual closure," it said.

Delays in liquor scam cases

Citing the 2010 liquor scam, the forum recalled that the government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the ACB director general. The SIT registered 67 cases against excise, police and revenue officers and submitted its report in 2011 seeking permission to prosecute the accused.

Of these, permission was granted in only 22 cases. Fifteen were referred to the Commissioner of Inquiries, 20 to the Tribunal for disciplinary proceedings, and 10 to departmental inquiries. Out of 67 cases registered in 2011 and 2012, only two were finalised and dropped. The remaining 65 cases have been pending in courts, inquiries and departments for the past 13 years.

The forum noted that no ACB case has been finalised in the past decade, which it said sends a wrong signal and fuels corruption. It appealed to the chief minister to ensure that all ACB cases are resolved within two to three years.