GUWAHATI: Cases of corruption in Assam have shown a significant spike in 2022 compared to the preceding two years, according to recent data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The state reported a staggering 57 cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) this year, a substantial increase from the 16 cases recorded in both 2020 and 2021.
However, a concerning trend emerges as nearly 95% of the 57 cases remained pending before the courts at the close of the last year.
Of the cases registered in 2022, 50 were trap cases where government officials were caught in the act of accepting bribes.
The remaining cases included four related to disproportionate assets and three involving criminal misconduct.
A total of 58 individuals were arrested in connection with these cases last year, and charge sheets were filed against 45 accused.
While two individuals faced conviction, none were acquitted or discharged. Importantly, no accused was dismissed or removed from service.
Regarding police disposal of cases by Anti-Corruption, Vigilance, and Lokayukta under the Prevention of Corruption Act and related IPC sections, the data highlights 109 cases pending investigation from the previous year.
Last year, final reports were submitted in 13 cases, and charge sheets were filed in 37 cases.
The number of cases pending investigation under these provisions at the end of 2022 stood at 116, as per the NCRB report.
In 2022, the total number of cases being tried under these legal provisions before the courts reached 78, of which 41 were pending trial from the previous year.
Thirty-seven new cases were sent for trial during the year.
The case pendency rate in corruption-related cases stood at a high 94.9% in the state at the end of 2022.
Courts concluded trials in three cases last year, leading to convictions in two and an acquittal in one, resulting in a conviction rate of 66.7%, according to the NCRB data.
