Corruption conviction rate in J&K not more than 10%

n tnn bureau

JAMMU: This may be a pointer to awfully hopeless situation but a recent data crunching has suggested that conviction in corruption-related cases in Jammu and Kashmir is not more than ten per cent.
Among every 100 corruption cases registered by investigation agencies nationwide only about 19 ended in conviction of accused, analysis of data for last 15 years by a voluntary group shows. The scenario is further dim in Jammu and Kashmir.
The findings of the data crunching done by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative from 2001-15 shows Punjab has the best conviction rates with 36.58 per cent of registered cases ending in conviction.
The national average of conviction in graft cases which reach trial stage improves significantly with about 35 per cent of corruption cases reaching court's door resulting in punishment for the accused, the analysis shows.
It is not necessary that investigation agencies are able to file charge sheets in every case registered by them as many are closed because evidence could not be collected or there are no evidence to back the allegations of an FIR.
Kerala fares on top in the category of corruption cases which reached trial stage with 62 per cent ending in conviction during the years 2001-15, while in terms of FIRs registered by it, conviction could be attained in 24.35 per cent cases, the study based on NCRB data shows.
Among the total people charged for corruption by various investigative agencies, only 31 per cent received punishment from the court during last 15 years while 69 per cent (about 29,591) were acquitted by the courts, it said.
"In states like Goa, Manipur and Tripura the acquittals were 100 per cent. All 30 accused were acquitted by courts in these states," it said. Jammu and Kashmir saw acquittal of 90 per cent of accused.
Nagaland courts gave punishment to 90 per cent of the accused charged by investigative agencies closely followed by Assam at 70 per cent.
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