Evidence not required, approach us: ACB

ASHWINI KAMATrPANAJIrrSpeaking to The Goan, Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George stated, “Very few members of public approach us with their grievances. You do not have to gather evidence before approaching us. You only have to be willing enough not to pay the bribe demanded by an officer. ACB will assist you not only in gathering evidence but also in prosecuting corrupt officials in a legal manner.”rSP George said that flow of credible information and complaints from the public will strengthen the ACB. However, at present, very few members of the public take this recourse. Those who do approach the ACB, do so only after they put together evidence to back their complaint, which is a risky and lengthy process.rSP George explained that once a graft case if brought to the notice of ACB, an extensive preliminary enquiry is conducted in order to piece together all the relevant information surrounding the demand for bribe. Following this, a trap is laid to nab the concerned official red-handed accepting bribe and eventually, this proves to be the clinching evidence against the accused. Between January 2016 and June 2017, ACB has registered 14 such cases after laying a trap. “Once an officer is caught by laying a trap, it becomes extremely hard to prove innocence in the court of law,” SP George pointed out.rAfter registration of the FIR under Prevention of Corruption Act, ACB puts together scientific evidence. “Chemical analysis, spectographic analysis and other test reports take time because these samples are sent to forensic science laboratories,” SP George informed.rOver the last one and half year, ACB has completed five cases registered previously while 58 cases are still under investigation. In addition to this, 10 cases are presently under trial. The sole conviction secured by the ACB over the last one year was in July 2016 when the Special Court convicted former Ponda mamlatdar Prashant Mandrekar in a 2005 case.