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| Saturday, 3 January 2004 |
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Commission awaits appointment to prosecute key figures The Commission Investigating Bribery or Corruption are awaiting the appointment of a commissioner to prosecute several leading personalities who are suspects for having made false declaration on assets. The commission will issue notice on these suspects, a media release stated yesterday. The release said the only obstacle to arrest these suspects was the vacant office of the commissioner, yet be filled. However 10 investigations have been completed regarding allegations of false assets. Despite the vacancy in the office of the commissioner, the commission has continued investigations on complaints received regarding allegations on bribery or corruption. The commission received 721 complaints against corruption, last year 390 against bribery and 57 regarding accumulation of illegal assets. The release stated: "During year 2003, 1803 complaints were received at the Commission. Of these, 624 were pseudonymous, 184 were anonymous and rest were complaints from authentic sources. Seven hundred and twenty one complaints were against corruption, 390 complaints against bribery and 57 were against accumulation of illegal assets. Rest of the complaints however does not fall into any of these categories. After processing these complaints, 382 were closed as they did not come within the purview of the law pertaining to the Commission. Four hundred and eighty eight complaints were closed as no investigations could be launched for lack of material. Six were closed due to lack of evidence and 26 for other reasons. The Commission carried out three bribery raids. In 17 investigations completed during the year, 23 persons were arrested and produced in courts. These were investigations authorized in 2002. In addition, most of the 61 persons arrested and produced in Courts in 2002 (in 48 raids carried out during the year) have not yet been prosecuted. Hundred and thirty one indictments and charge sheets are under consideration and 44 indictments and charge sheets are ready to be filed in Courts. In the 10 investigations on assets completed, show cause notices have to be issued. Amongst some of the suspects to be prosecuted are several leading personalities. However, no action can be taken against any of these persons until the vacancy in the Commission is filled. Nevertheless, investigations into complaints received prior to 2003 against several public figures are continuing. Meanwhile, investigations were completed in 1,468 cases during the year. These are complaints received from December 1999 to end of 2003. Investigations are pending in yet another 1,451 complaints". |
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