ACB’s efforts yield positive results

Efforts by the Pune unit of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to ensure better coordination with lawyers and witnesses and providing training in investigating cases to officers have yielded positive results in the form of conviction rate getting more than doubled compared to last year.

The Pune unit has achieved a conviction rate of 41.66 % which is highest in the state this year till September 13.

ACB officers have been making extra efforts to increase the conviction rates in the division. They have been meeting witnesses, requesting experienced public prosecutors and appointing sincere watch officers, sending summons report to investigating officers and witnesses on time and appreciating officers who have done a good job. All these efforts have yielded good results this year.

According to ACB statistics, this year, 20 people have been convicted in 48 cases, whereas, only five people were convicted in 30 cases in 2010. This year, the conviction rate is 41.66 % compared to 16.66% in 2010. Trap cases in Pune range have increased. ACB’s Pune unit has jurisdiction over Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur districts.

Deputy commissioner of police (ACB) Sarang Awad told DNA, “In most of the cases, the witnesses were not remembering the details about the ‘trap’ while testifying in the court. Now, we meet the witnesses and brief him about the case before the hearing.”

ACB officers are also sending summons reports to the investigative officer (IO) and witnesses on time. Most of the time, the IO and witness were not present in the court, which affected the case. ACB’s top brass have started presenting rewards and appreciation letters to meritorious officers.

The state home department has allocated three exclusive courts for ACB to ensure speedy disposal of graft cases in Pune district. Earlier, there was only one dedicated court for ACB. Now, two new courts have been started at the Shivajinagar court complex and one at Baramati. Awad said, “The new courts have made a big difference as most of the cases are pending for a long time. The hearing in cases of 2008, 2009 and 2010 is going on.” ACB officials believe the delay in hearing gives time to the accused to approach the complainant and settle the issue.