PANAJI
The Home Department has expanded the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI-Goa) jurisdiction to include State government employees for investigating cases along with central government employees.
However, the notification comes with a rider as the ACB-CBI team can proceed with an investigation only with prior written permission from the State government.
“In pursuance of the provisions of section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the Government of Goa accords its consent for the exercise of powers and jurisdiction by the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act in the whole state of Goa for investigation of offences or classes of offences notified under section 3 of the Act…Subject, however, to the condition that no such investigation shall be taken up in cases relating to the public servants controlled by the Goa government except with the prior written permission of the Goa government,” the notification signed by Under Secretary (Home) Manthan Naik stated.
The government has also clarified that all previous general consents for other offences and case-specific consents shall remain valid.
Until this order, the Vigilance/Anti Corruption Branch (Goa Police) had the authority to act against officials involved in corruption and possession of disproportionate assets.
According to information shared in the legislative assembly this February, no cases of corruption or disproportionate assets against government officials were registered by ACB Goa Police since 2021.
As of January 15, 2024, records showed "Nil" and it was only in April that suspended head constables Sanjay Talkar and Raju Kalangutkar were arrested on charges of bribery.
