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It gives me great pleasure to welcome all the media people
to this first press conference of the year 2005. Let me start
by wishing you a very happy new year. I also take this opportunity
to express my appreciation for the media, both print &
electronic for giving wide coverage to the CBI activities.
I particularly thank the media for applauding the good work
done by CBI and also criticising it for its shortcomings.
In both ways the media has helped the organization by encouraging
it to do better and also making it remain more alert.
During the last year, several efforts were made to improve
the working of CBI, the premier investigation agency of the
country. Realising the importance of training in overall efficiency
of the organization, the CBI concentrated on imparting more
intensive training to its personnel and establishing Regional
Training Center at Chennai and Kolkata. Further steps have
been taken in computerising and modernizing the different
branches and units of CBI. We have initiated steps to computerise
all the records relating to crimes and criminal with the help
of secure software modules. Similarly, our efforts to have
our own building for headquarters has resulted in the Govt.
of India and planning commission agreeing to make a provision
of Rs. 138.62 crores for the CBI headquarters building during
the 10th / 11th five years plans.
During the year 2004, CBI registered 1193 cases against 2046
public servants including 1127 gazetted officers and 1475
private persons. These cases include 218 cases of trap in
which 281 public servants were caught red handed while demanding
and accepting bribe and 83 cases against 87 public servants
for possession of disproportionate assets beyond their known
sources of income. CBI completed investigation in 1282 cases
during 2004. Out of these, 814 cases were sent up for trial
and 207 cases for regular departmental action against the
accused public servants.
During the year 2004, a campaign was launched to reduce the
number of cases pending investigation. At the end of last
year i.e. on 31.12.2003, 1435 cases were pending under investigation.
This pendency has been reduced by 81 cases. At the end of
2004 we have only 1354 cases pending investigation.
From the point of view of cases under trial, during 2004,
judgments were delivered in 549 cases of which 329 cases resulted
in conviction. The annual rate of conviction in CBI cases
comes to approximately 66.33%. However, the pendency of cases
in court is increasing with every passing year. Since progressively
more cases are being sent up to courts but less are being
disposed of, therefore, the pendency of under trial cases
as on 31.12.2004 has gone upto 6614. There is need to take
urgent measures to increase the rate of disposal of cases
by the courts. Unless the accused are tried expeditiously
and punished by the courts, the action initiated by the Police
and CBI is not likely to have the desired deterrent effect.
During the year 2004, CBI handled 63 cases relating to fake
stamps. Out of these 63 cases, charge sheets have been filed
in 26 cases.
During the year 2004, a Central Excise Commissioner was arrested
for demanding a bribe of Rs. 1.5 crore and accepting Rs. 60
lac. Searches of his premises led to recovery of Rs. 6.2 crore
in cash and detection of disproportionate assets to the tune
of nearly to Rs. 15 crore. In an another case, an Assistant
Director (Income Tax) was arrested for accepting a bribe of
Rs.1 lakh and search at his residence led to the recovery
of Rs.1 crore in cash. Similarly, in the case against an IAS
officer of Haryana Cadre (1991 batch) disproportionate assets
to extent of Rs. 3 crore was detected including Rs.1.7 crore
in a bank locker and Rs.12 lac in cash. A Joint Director of
Anti-adulteration Cell of Ministry of Petroleum was also arrested
for possession of disproportionate assets. After action by
the CBI, the Govt. of India abolished the Anti-adulteration
Cell in the Ministry of Petroleum because it was not serving
the purpose for which it was created. A former Minister, two
IAS Officers, two Senior Army Officers, a Brigadier and a
Colonel were sentenced in CBI cases. Economic offenders like
Hiten Dalal and Senior Bank officials were sentenced in multi-crore
Securities Scam of 1992 also known as Harshad Mehta scam cases.
The Biennial Conference of State Anti-corruption Bureaux
and CBI was held on 27-28 August, 2004. Hon’ble Prime
Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh inaugurated the Conference.
The D.P.Kohli memorial lecture on the topic " Role of
Law Enforcement agencies" was organised on the 5th of
May 2004. Former Chief Justice of India, Justice J.S.Verma
delivered the Memorial Lecture.
With the initiatve taken by the Bureau and withthe cooperation
of the Govt., six new posts at the senior level, such as One
Joint Director, one DIG, two SsP and two Crime Assistants
have been created exclusively for the 'Telgi' related cases.
However, we have still over 1000 vacancies, mostly in the
ranks of Investigating Officers and Prosecutors. We will strive
to get these posts filled up as soon as possible.
No organisatiln can achieve its goal if it does not set clear
cut targets and priorities. Accordingly, we have identified
the following priorities for the year 2005:-
Ø To intensify action under special drives to target
officers of doubtful integrity and areas of corruption in
various central government departments.
Ø To launch a special campaign in 2005 to focus on
disposal of cases from trial.
Ø To reduce the pendency of cases under investigation
Ø To implement action plan for apprehension of Proclaimed
offenders, Absconders and fugitives
Ø To improve the infrastructure, mobility and communication
facilities available to the investigation officers and prosecutors.
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