163 corrupt babus escaped the axe, shows ACB data

Statistics from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) revealed that the police force is among the top five government departments in the state where officials allegedly involved in corruption charges are not put under suspension. Other top four departments are rural development, education, urban development and revenue. The statistics have also revealed that at least 24 government officials allegedly involved in corruption cases have still not been terminated from the service.

As of May 2, there were 163 corrupt government officials from 18 different government departments who are yet to be placed under suspension. Out of these, 18 are Class I, 17 Class II and 77 Class III officials, the statistics have revealed.

Further analysis of the statistics reveal that 49 officials from education and sports department topped the list, The rural development (35), the urban development (20), the revenue/registration/land records (17) and the police (15) are among the top ranked departments for not having suspended officials allegedly involved in corruption charges.

Most cases in which officials were not placed under suspension were reported from Nagpur (48), followed by Mumbai (25), Nanded (25), Aurangabad (20) and Thane (18). Some of these cases were as old as 2015.

According to the ACB, between January 1 and May 1 this year, 236 entrapment cases and three cases of disproportionate assets were registered. The statistics also revealed that 54 trap cases were registered involving officials from revenue/land records and registration department, followed by 46 cases of police department.

"Once we trap an official involved in a corruption case, we share details about the official, details of the case, FIR details and what amount of money has been found from the official with the department concerned and it is then up to the department to take necessary action thereon," said an official from ACB, on the condition of anonymity.