GUWAHATI, Nov 29 � With creation of new special courts, the disposal rate of the cases by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has picked up momentum and the rate of conviction rate of the cases done by the Guwahati branch of the Bureau now is one of the highest in the country.
CBI sources told The Assam Tribune that so far this year, the special courts disposed off 16 cases and 15 resulted in conviction of the accused. However, more than 200 cases including the cases registered under other branches of the CBI are pending before the Special Courts.
CBI sources said that to ensure speedy disposal of the cases, the Government of India sanctioned 71 Special Courts all over the country and two such courts have been set up in Guwahati, increasing the number of Special Courts to three. This resulted in increase of disposal rate of the cases pending before the courts. However, because of the backlog, it would take some time for disposal of all the pending cases.
Sources said that the CBI, Guwahati branch, is now investigating into 16 cases of corruption, which include one interesting case of irregularities in payment of land compensation in the process of widening of the road to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sources said that another case is of an irregularity in a State Bank of India in Arunachal Pradesh where the Chief Manager and other officials reportedly granted loans amounting to Rs three crore to non existent farms, leading to the loss of the entire amount.
CBI sources revealed that the Bureau investigated two cases relating to coal distribution and the charge sheet of one was filed recently and the investigation of the other is on. The investigation in connection of a trap case against a senior officer of ONGC is in advanced stage and the charge sheet is likely to be submitted soon. In addition to the ONGC officer, the Bureau is investigating into three cases relating to the Postal Department, while, a Garrison Engineer of the Indian Air Force is also facing investigation. A Railway officer is also facing a disproportionate assets case.
However, the number of trap cases by the CBI in Assam is lower than other parts of the country. CBI sources said that people here rarely come forward to help the Bureau in trap cases and it is not possible to carry out such cases without help and cooperation of the common people. CBI sources said that it is also easier for the Bureau to deal with trap cases.
