A quarterly review meeting attended by the SPs of all Vigilance Divisions and officers of Vigilance Directorate as well as Public Prosecutors and Counsels of Vigilance was held on Saturday. It was presided over by the Director of Vigilance.
It was revealed that during the first six months of the year, between January to June, 133 cases were disposed of by the Vigilance Courts, out of which eight cases were abated due to death of the accused persons and one was dropped.
Out of the rest 124 cases, 62 cases ended in conviction against 11 Class-I officers, 7 Class-II officers, 46 Class-III employees, one Class-IV employee, three other public servants and eight private persons. Thus altogether, 76 accused persons were convicted during the period.
The percentage of conviction in respect of cases disposed of after trial by the courts comes to 50 per cent. As such, the rate of conviction has increased by 3 per cent as against the annual conviction rate of 47 per cent in the year 2016 and 2017.
During this period, 17 public servants were dismissed from service following their conviction which included one Class-I officer and 16 Class-III employees.
In order to further strengthen the Vigilance prosecution system with a view to raise conviction rate further, the State Government has created ten posts of Prosecution liaison Officers (PlO) in Vigilance organisation. They will be engaged in the Vigilance courts and entrusted with the responsibility of managing and monitoring the work of prosecution on a day to day basis. They will also ensure court attendance of the prosecution witnesses in time and their proper briefing before deposing in the court. Retired Vigilance/Police officers in the rank of Inspector and above, having thorough knowledge of investigation and prosecution matters, will be engaged as Prosecution liaison Officers.
It may be pertinent to mention that from January to June, 204 Vigilance cases were registered against 286 persons including 25 Class-I officers, 23 Class-II officers, 154 Class-III employees, nine Class-IV employees, 28 other public servants and 47 private persons. Out of these cases, 36 cases were instituted for acquisition of disproportionate assets against 11 Class-I officers, 11 Class-II officers, 11 Class-III employees, two Class-IV employees, one other public servant and 18 private persons. 99 trap cases were instituted for demand and acceptance of bribe from the complainants during the period against six Class-I officers, eight Class-II officers, 76 Class-III employees, seven Class-IV employees and five other public servants. 69 cases were instituted for misappropriation of Government money and other irregularities during the period against eight Class-I officers, four Class-II officers, 67 Class-III employees, 22 other public servants and 29 private persons.
Investigation was completed in 75 cases and charge sheets were placed against 17 Class-I officers, 18 Class-II officers, 104 Class-IIIemployees, one Class-IV employee, two other public servants and 52 private persons.
During the period, 134 persons were arrested, which included 17 Class-I officers, 15 Class-II officers, 88 Class-III employees, seven Class-IV employees, five other public servants and two private persons for their involvement in Vigilance cases.