Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 18: It has been four years since Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) was formed by diluting powers of the Lokayukta. Interestingly, during these four years, ACB has not succeeded in getting any convictions in cases filed by it.

Out of 1,199 cases filed by the ACB so far, charge sheets have been filed in 409 cases. 790 cases of raiding people in high offices for having assets disproportionate too their known sources of income during raids, are under investigation. In major cases, charge sheets have not been filed.

Charge sheets have been filed so far only in case of minor cases of corruption and not even a single major case has gone to the court. Out of 379 cases registered in 2019, charge sheets in 11 cases only.

Chief minister B S Yediyurappa, had repeatedly said in the past that if he comes to power in Karnataka. He would dissolve ACB within 24 hours and give Lokayukta full powers. But it has been six months since he became the chief minister.

Many critical cases and cases involving major offences are still at the state of investigation. Unless the ACB takes steps to get the cases cleared faster and make effort for convictions, the number of cases will only pile up further.

Additional director general of police of ACB, T Sunil Kumar, says that investigation and charge sheet filing in case of corruption cases involving officials and about properties in excess of known sources of income owned by them take too long to complete.