The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has managed 21,660 public petitions from January 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024, with only 45 leading to preliminary inquiries, as per an RTI response to activist R. Karthikeyan. DVAC investigates under the Prevention of Corruption Act, targeting public servants and state-controlled bodies. Their methods include surprise checks and initiating inquiries. Out of the thousands of petitions, merely nine progressed to detailed inquiries and only two resulted in regular cases. Meanwhile, 145 cases culminated in convictions, and 56 in acquittals, with six of these leading to appeals. Less than 1% of petitions advance to inquiry stages due to strict scrutiny, prioritizing genuine cases. Many submissions were found to be anonymous, pseudonymous, or unrelated to corruption. Section 17A protects public servants against frivolous or retaliatory investigations, requiring prior approval for an inquiry. According to a DVAC official, petitions are meticulously categorized; only those evidencing corruption per the Act are escalated for further action. Once cases are initiated, petitioners are kept informed of their status.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/less-than-1-of-petitions-filed-with-dvac-sent-for-preliminary-inquiry/article68772568.ece
Category : Chennai
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