The Anti-Corruption Bureau in Haryana has been relentlessly cracking down on corrupt government officials, but it seems that the fear of getting caught has not yet sunk in among them. According to statistics released by the bureau, dozens of cases of government employees accepting bribes have been reported in the first three months of this year alone. These cases involve officials ranging from fourth-class employees to higher officials, indicating the widespread nature of corruption in the system.
Despite the bureau’s efforts, there is still a long way to go in curbing corrupt practices in the government. However, the bureau’s zero-tolerance policy has resulted in a record number of cases related to graft being registered last year, with 246 cases (including 170 traps) being recorded – the highest number in the last 10 years.
Disturbingly, the police department appears to be the most corrupt, with around two dozen police personnel being caught red-handed and booked under corruption cases. Further data reveals that 46 police personnel, including two Inspector/SHOs, a retired DSP of Rajasthan Police, and another Inspector working as MVO in Karnal, were caught while accepting bribes ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5 lakh in separate cases.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has been conducting raids to catch corrupt officials, with 170 raids being carried out in 2022. During these raids, a total of Rs. 6,21,70,230/- was recovered on the spot or after searching property, and 193 government servants, including 27 gazetted officers, 166 non-gazetted officials, and 27 private individuals, were arrested. In total, 18 public servants were arrested on corruption charges every month on average.
The focus of the Anti-Corruption Bureau has shifted from junior-level staff to senior ranks, who are often the masterminds behind organised corruption rackets. This has led to a remarkable increase in the number of raids and arrests of senior government officials. The list of high-ranking officials caught in corruption cases includes a District Town Planner who was caught accepting Rs. 5,00,000/- bribe, a co-accused Tehsildar, a Deputy Excise & Taxation Commissioner caught red-handed taking Rs. 50,000/- as bribe, and a Jail Superintendent who was also arrested in a trap case. Five HCS officers were also arrested last year on corruption charges.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is urging citizens to report cases of bribery and corruption on its toll-free numbers, 1800-180-2022 and 1064, and its WhatsApp number, 094178-91064. The fight against corruption is a collective effort, and the bureau is urging people to come forward and do their part in bringing transparency and accountability to the government.