10 politicians, 90 JKAS, IAS officers in ACB corruption net
Srinagar, Oct 8: In a stark revelation highlighting widespread corruption in Jammu and Kashmir, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has disclosed that 10 politicians, one Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, and 89 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers have been named in the First Information Reports (FIRs).
Among the politicians, the cases include a sitting Member of Parliament and a Member of the Legislative Assembly, while two of the politicians named in the FIRs have since passed away, highlighting the enduring nature of some of these alleged irregularities.
According to the ACB’s official records accessed by Greater Kashmir, a total of 515 corruption cases have been registered over recent years.
The year-wise breakdown paints a complex picture of fluctuating enforcement and accountability.
In 2019, the bureau registered 73 cases, of which 30 were challaned and four resulted in convictions. The following year saw 71 cases registered, 48 challaned, and only two convictions.
A sharp decline occurred in 2021, with only nine cases registered, though 52 were challaned and three led to convictions.
In 2022, the number of cases surged to 128, with 51 challaned, but only two ended in conviction.
In 2023, 62 cases were registered, 80 were challaned, and eight resulted in convictions.
The current year has already seen 87 cases registered and 31 challaned, though no convictions have been reported so far. The involvement of politicians, senior officials, including an IAS officer, has intensified public concern and fueled demands for stronger oversight and stricter accountability measures.
Adding to these challenges, the ACB faces a severe manpower shortage. Of the 846 sanctioned posts across ranks, only 483 are currently filled, leaving 363 positions vacant, a deficit of nearly 43 percent. The shortage spans critical investigative, technical, and clerical positions.
Among senior posts, one of the two DIG-level positions is vacant, while the Director of Prosecution post remains unfilled. The Superintendent of Police cadre has eight sanctioned positions, of which eight are regular officers, with four additional officers posted under “Additional Working Posts.”
Field investigation staff is similarly under strength.
Of 103 sanctioned Inspectors (Executive), only 85 are posted. Forty Sub-Inspector posts exist, but only 12 are filled. Among constables, 263 positions are sanctioned, yet only 157 are occupied.
Clerical and ministerial posts show even wider gaps: of 59 Junior Assistant posts, only three are filled; of 46 Multi-Tasking Staff posts, only 13 are occupied.
All 19 Steno-Typist positions remain vacant, and only four Junior Stenographers are in place against 26 sanctioned, while Senior Assistants number just two against 11 sanctioned posts. Technical staff also face shortages.
The Executive Engineer (Civil) cadre has two sanctioned posts, both filled, while the Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) cadre has seven sanctioned posts with six filled.
Junior Engineers (Civil) have seven sanctioned posts, with five regular and two additional working posts filled.
These gaps severely hamper the ACB’s ability to investigate, compile evidence, and pursue cases efficiently.
