BENGALURU: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), which was established by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah despite public opposition, has received a half a dozen of cases against the CM himself. However, the ACB has not started investigation into any of these cases.
While RTI activists are filing complaints against politicians, the public are not coming forward to file cases of corruption against government officials. It has been almost a month after the ACB was accorded police station powers, but it is learnt that only one trap has been laid so far.
According to an ACB official, people still need time to understand that they have to approach ACB to file any complaint against government officials. “Most of the people who are approaching ACB now are RTI activists. But for a common man, it takes some more time to know that he should approach us to file a complaint,” he said.
On the other hand, most of the complaints received by ACB are against political leaders like Siddaramaiah, BJP State President B.S. Yeddyurappa and other senior IAS officers. “Most of the complaints are not admissible as the allegations levelled does not attract filing FIR under any section of the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, we are bound to receive the complaint and senior officials will take a decision on them,” an official added.
DGP seeks details
Bengaluru: It is learnt ACB chief ADGP K.V. Gagandeep has sought clarification from the Chief Secretary in connection with a complaint filed by advocate Nataraj Sharma against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking an investigation as to how the Chief Minister got a pricey watch as gift.
“As per the rules, ACB has to get permission from the advisory board before starting the probe. Thus, the ADGP has written to the Chief Secretary seeking clarification on how to take the case further. The Chief Secretary’s office has not replied in the matter,” an official said.
It is also said that the ACB has also taken opinion of the Advocate General in the matter and the AG has reportedly opined that the case is not fit for any probe.
