People attend a rally organised under the theme, ‘War Against Corruption, the Battle to Reclaim the Nagaland’ by the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland at Super Market Area, Dimapur on August 25, 2017. (Morung File Photo)
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Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 11
Is Nagaland a state free from the menace of corruption? Despite popular assumption, it appears so, if one goes by the official registration of corruption cases over the years.
The annual ‘Crime in India’ report published by the National Crime National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), hence, points to such conclusion.
As per the NCRB 2021 report released recently, Nagaland reported just 1 case under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 & Related Sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with corrupt practice by public servants.
The number indicated a fall from 2020, when there were 4 cases.
Analysis of the NCRB data informed that during the last 8 years from 2014-2021, a total of just 57 cases have been under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 & Related Sections of IPC.
The highest was in 2018 when there were 16 cases, followed by 12 in 2017 and 10 in 2016. (See Image)
Incidentally, however, in registration of case specifically under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 designated as 'Special and Local Laws (SLL)' just 1 case has been registered in the last 5 years from 2017-2021.
Meanwhile, Nagaland was not alone in reporting low offences.
As per the 2021 report, the states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Ladakh reported ‘zero’ case, while it was below 10 in 8 others States/Union Territories.
Overall, a total of 3,745 cases have been registered in 2021 by State Anti-Corruption Bureaux (ACBs) as compared to 3,123 cases in 2020, as per the NCRB, showing an increase of 19.9%.
Out 3,745 Cases, majority, i.e., 67.6% were Trap Cases (2,532) followed by 13.6 % of Criminal Misconduct (511 Cases).
A total of 4,420 persons were arrested, 482 persons were convicted and departmental action was taken against 303 persons, it added.
Crime-head wise, the 1 case in Nagaland in 2021 was designated as ‘others’ in the case registered by Anti-Corruption Bureau, Vigilance and Lokayukta. Others Crime-head include Trap Cases, Disproportionate Assets and Criminal Misconduct.
Disposal of cases
Meanwhile, as per the 2021 report, a total of 34 cases related with corruption were pending investigation from previous years in Nagaland.
No cases were reopened for investigation or transferred in 2021.
For a total of 8 cases, the final reports were submitted by Anti-Corruption Bureau, Vigilance and Lokayukta under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Related Sections of IPC and 2 cases were chargesheeted.
At the end of 2021, accordingly, 25 cases were pending investigation.
There were 8 cases under trial in 2021 and the State Lokayukta disposed off one case and 7 were pending, with pendency percentage of 87.5%.
With regard to action against persons arrested and departmental action taken in offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, the report highlighted that while 10 persons were arrested in 2021, chargesheets were filed against 21, and 15 were acquitted. There were no departmental actions.
Laws on corruption in India
Both IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 act deals with corrupt practice by the public servants in India. According to the PRS Legislative Research, IPC defines “public servant” as a government employee, officers in the military, navy or air force; police, judges, officers of Court of Justice, and any local authority established by a central or state Act
Office bearers of cooperative societies receiving financial aid from the government, employees of universities, Public Service Commission and banks were included under the category by the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The 1988 was enacted to “consolidate and amend the law relating to the prevention of corruption and for matters connected therewith.”
Among others, it deals with “gratification other than his legal remuneration in respect of an official act or to influence public servants,” and “acceptance of a valuable thing without paying for it or paying inadequately from a person with whom” the public servant is involved in a business transaction in official capacity.
Other laws on corruption, as per PRS, include the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988.
Reporting corrupt practices
On June 12, 2022, the Nagaland Police had activated an anti-corruption helpline number as well as dedicated email handle to report any corrupt practices, demand for bribes or holding of disproportionate assets by government officials.
The confidentiality of the reporter would be maintained, stated a public notice issued by the Nagaland Police urging the general public to inform the Crime Investigation Department (CID) regarding any aforesaid issues.
The public servants include both employees of Union and State Governments as well as State and Central Public Sector Undertakings, and Banks, it elaborated.
The complaint, if any, can be addressed to Officer-in-Charge, State Crime Police Station, Police Headquarters Kohima, it added.
“The complaints may be reported on the following Mobile No. 6009308037 and email ID: statecrimeps-ngl@gov.in,” it added.
Nagaland Police Corruption Helpline
Mobile No. 6009308037
Email ID: statecrimeps-ngl@gov.in
