Over 360 posts vacant in J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau, reveals RTI
Srinagar, Oct 2: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is facing a severe manpower shortage, with more than 360 posts remaining vacant across various ranks, which hampers its operational strength and investigative efficiency.
According to the RTI filed by this correspondent, the ACB has a sanctioned strength of 846 posts, of which only 483 are currently filled, resulting in 363 posts remaining vacant—a vacancy rate of nearly 43 per cent.
The data exposes major shortfalls across several critical ranks, including investigating officers, prosecution staff, engineers, and clerical cadres that are vital to anti-graft operations.
The RTI reply shows that of the two DIG-level positions, only one is occupied, while the Director (Prosecution) post also remains unfilled. Among Superintendents of Police, eight posts are sanctioned, with eight regular officers and four additional under “AWP” (additional working posts).
The shortage is acute in the field investigation ranks. Out of 103 sanctioned Inspectors (Executive), only 85 are posted; 40 Sub-Inspector posts exist, but just 12 are filled. Similarly, among 263 sanctioned Constable posts, only 157 are occupied, leaving 106 vacancies in this critical operational category.
Clerical and ministerial positions show even wider gaps. The Bureau has 59 sanctioned Junior Assistant posts, but only 3 filled; 46 Multi-Tasking Staff sanctioned, but only 13 posted. All 19 Steno-Typist posts are vacant, and only 4 Junior Stenographers are in place against 26 sanctioned. Senior Assistants also remain understaffed, with just 2 posted against 11 sanctioned.
Technical sections also face gaps. The Executive Engineer (Civil) has 2 sanctioned posts with both filled, but the Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) cadre shows 7 sanctioned and 6 filled. The Junior Engineer (Civil) section has 7 sanctioned with 5 regular and 2 AWP postings.
It is pertinent to mention that, as per the ACB’s records, a significant total of 515 corruption cases have been registered from 2019 to 2024. Since 2019, 89 KAS officers and one IAS officer have been named in these FIRs, indicating a concerning trend of misconduct within the bureaucratic structure.
The breakdown of registered cases reveals fluctuating levels of corruption and accountability over the years.
In 2019, the ACB registered 73 cases, with 30 subsequently challaned and 4 resulting in convictions. In 2020, 71 cases were registered, 48 challaned, and 2 convictions recorded. The year 2021 saw a steep decline in new cases, with 9 registered, but 52 challaned and 3 convictions. In 2022, a surge was observed with 128 cases registered, 51 challaned, yet only 2 convictions. The trend continued in 2023 with 62 cases registered, 80 challaned, and 8 convictions. The current year, 2024, has already seen 87 cases registered and 31 challaned, though no convictions have been reported so far.
The latest figures raise serious questions about both the scale of corruption and the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms within Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative setup. Experts caution that the persistent staff shortage within the ACB could be undermining its ability to investigate and pursue cases swiftly, resulting in a low conviction rate and delayed justice.
