Graft conviction rate dips in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The conviction rate of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has hit an all-time low with only six persons punished for corruption in the state last year. Legal experts attribute this mainly to the lack of strong evidence being collected by the investigation officers. According to a performance profile of the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), the number of public servants involved in Vigilance cases and the departmental actions recommended also recorded a steep increase over the last five years.

The number of persons convicted by various Vigilance courts was 40 in 2011, 29 in 2012, 43 in 2013 and 22 in 2014. In 2015 the figure plunged to six. As per the performance profile, the percentage of conviction in 2013 was 59.08 per cent. However, the conviction percentage of 2014 and 2015 was not provided. VACB sources cite a couple of reasons for this poor situation, including lack of strong evidence and delay in appointing judges.

"Many investigating officers often fail to gather strong evidence to ensure conviction. Accused persons often enjoy the benefit of doubt. Supervisory officers have limitations owing to the increasing work load," said a VACB officer. Earlier, there used to be up to four IPS officers to head the VACB. But over the last few years, there are only two officers. Last year, there was also delay in appointing judges in  Vigilance courts.

This had delayed prosecutions, said VACB sources. The number of public servants involved in Vigilance cases was only 287 in 2014. It increased to 820 in 2015. Departmental action was recommended against 725 persons in 2015, while the number was 685 in 2014. The pendency of cases also maintains an upward trend. While the number of cases pending trial increased to 1,427 in 2015 from 1,227 in 2014, the number of cases pending investigation increased to 501 in 2015 from 333 in the preceding year.