| Centralized power of SVO, CB sabotage transparency | | Crusade against corruption | | Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 11: Notwithstanding government's efforts to tighten the noose around the corrupt elements within the administration, the centralized power of State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) and Crime Branch (CB) sabotaging logical conclusion of verifications made by officers of these two agencies.
Sources within these agencies told Early Times that sometimes, despite sufficient evidences against government officer /officials especially top bureaucrat went scot free using their relation with top bosses of these agencies.
"J&K Crime Branch cannot register FIR, without sanction from Inspector General, Crime Branch", sources divulged, adding in case of registering an FIR, an SHO of police station in more power full than a SSP crime branch. "After getting investigation/verification report conducted by Investigation Officer (IO) CB, the SSP crime branch forward it to IG crime branch seeking permission for registering an FIR", they said and added, centralization of power, sometimes influences transparency and work for which CB is formed.
Sources further said that there is same conditions for registering FIR in SVO, where Director Vigilance sanction, registration of FIR, despite the IOs have sufficient evidence against an official / officer, it's up to director where the FIR would registered or not. Referring a recent case of infamous, Jagti Town Ship, scam in top most bureaucrats have looted the state exchequer, the sources the then director Vigilance overlooking three years long verification made by SVO team, refused to registered FIR against culprits.
"SSP, Vigilance Jammu seeking registration of case, on 20/05/ 2014 forwarded an inquiry report, conducted by vigilance against the then Relief Commissioner (M) after verification of total 17 allegations' against the accused officer. Under dispatched number SSP/R.S/14-2207/VOJ, dated 20/05/2014, the SSP Vigilance Organization Jammu brought facts before, ADGP/Director Vigilance J&K, Srinagar in response to letter of central vigilance office J&K vide letter no: SVO-Veri-JMU-27/2011-8441 dated 08-06-2011 regarding complaint against Relief Commissioner (M) Jammu & others", sources said, adding that but unfortunately the AIG (Hqrs) for Director of Vigilance J&K, directed the SSP vigilance Jammu close instant verification, as approved by the director SVO.
There are number of such cases, for which investigations have completed, but the FIRs have not been registered yet. "The Crime Branch has completed some verification against misappropriation in SICOP, but the case yet to be registered", they added.
They said that if Chief Minister wants results, powers vested to IGP crime branch, director vigilance need to be decentralized. "At least, an officer of SSP rank should be authorized to register an FIR, after satisfactory verification/ investigation over complaint of corruption", they added. |
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