Jammu, Oct 31: Notwithstanding the rampant increase in corrupt practices across the state, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Jammu and Kashmir has almost been rendered idle in view of the poor government response and lack of awareness among the general masses.
The high-profile investigating agency has two regional wings with special anti-corruption branch in Jammu and Kashmir – one each in Kashmir and Jammu. The Kashmir wing has also jurisdiction over Ladakh and deals with cases of corruption, specifically in the context of Central Government departments.
“During the last one year, we have produced challan in 22 cases and this year only 12 cases have been registered with us so far,” Superintendent of Police (CBI) Jammu Arman Deep Singh, who has additional charge of Kashmir, told mediapersons here today.
The interaction was organized in the backdrop of Vigilance Awareness Week that commenced on October 29 and will conclude on November 3.
The SP further said that during 2012, only 6 trap cases were conducted by CBI. “Last year we had only one trap case”, he said adding that the agency has no pendency of cases in JK.
He said that very few people were coming forward to register their complaints with the agency due to lack of awareness. “We have given our contact number for general public through Short Message Service (SMS). We want people to come forward and help us to deal with corruption menace”, he said.
He also admitted that there was very poor response from the government as well. “Hardly any case was being forwarded to us for probe”, he said, while responding to a query.
“We cannot take suo-moto action against corrupt officials but it is only after registration of complaint before CBI, by some individual, that we register case and initiate investigations,” he said, adding that so it was very necessary, that the public register complaints against corrupt, to root-out corruption from society.
Making an appeal to general public, Aramdeep Singh said that only Central government departments and officers, fall under purview of CBI and people should come forward to register complaints against central government employees.
He further maintained that the agency was also mulling to open second CBI Special Court in Srinagar but the proposal has to be cleared by the state government.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST