Guwahati, 6th December: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data highlights a substantial surge in corruption cases registered in Assam during 2022 compared to the previous two years. The state reported 57 cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act and related sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a notable increase from the 16 cases reported in both 2020 and 2021. However, nearly 95% of the 57 cases remained pending before the courts by the end of last year.
Among the registered cases in 2022, 50 were trap cases involving government officials caught accepting bribes, while the remaining cases pertained to disproportionate assets and criminal misconduct. The NCRB data indicates that 58 individuals were arrested, charge sheets submitted against 45 accused, and two persons convicted. However, none of the accused faced dismissal or removal from service.
In terms of police disposal of cases by Anti-Corruption, Vigilance, and Lokayukta under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the data reveals 109 cases pending investigation from the previous year. While final reports were submitted in 13 cases and charge sheets filed in 37 cases, the total number of cases pending investigation under these provisions stood at 116 by the end of 2022.
The case pendency rate in corruption-related cases in Assam reached 94.9% at the close of 2022. The conviction rate stood at 66.7%, with 74 cases pending trial and courts completing trials in three cases, resulting in two convictions and one acquittal. The NCRB data suggests an intensified focus on combating corruption but underscores challenges in timely case resolution.