None of the 12 municipal councillors against whom cases were filed by the anti-corruption bureau since 2012 onwards to date have been convicted. The same was informed to an applicant by ​the ​anti-corruption bureau from whom information was sought. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Jeetendra Ghadge, an RTI applicant had sought information from 2012 onwards about the inquiry on councillors conducted by the agency. As per information provided, 12 councillors faced corruption charges in the above period. However, none of them was convicted post the ACB inquiry. 

As per the details, in two cases​, the​ accused ​were acquitted, in case of four, the trial was pending, one was discharged, and in two cases the investigations were pending. In case of four councillors, the inquiry was still in progress - some cases being as old as 2012. 

"The ACB has a very poor record of conviction. The fact that inquiries are pending since 2012 proves that the agency is not serious when it comes to cases against politicians, " said Ghadge. 

He added, "Political parties need to understand that giving tickets to tainted candidates affects the credibility of the entire party. Instead of giving importance to winning prospects of one candidate, the party should think about losing the faith of citizens at large." 

While some of the corporators are already being probed, due to delimitation and reservations, their wives will be contesting election. These include wives of Mohsin Haider and Dnyanmurti Sharma.

Vivek Phansalkar, director general of ACB when asked about the slow ​progress in investigations and acquittals said, "I do not have information with me and I am not aware about the case to comment."

​​Acquitted​:​ 

Shaikh Mohammed Siraj Shaikh - IndependentMahant Choubey - BJP

​​Pending Trial

Mohan Vithoba Lokegaonkar - Shiv SenaCyril Peter D'Souza - NCP Shradha Patil - MNSDyanmurthi Sharma - BJP

​​Discharged 

Suresh Awale - MNS

​​Pending Investigation

Cyril Peter D'Souza - NCP Rajashri Palande - BJP

​​Open inquiry 

Alijan Shaikh - Congress Raorane Rupali Ajit - NCPMohsin Haider - Congress Lalita Annamalai - Independent