JAMMU: A conviction rate of just 12.6 per cent in corruption cases over the past six years has raised serious concerns over the functioning of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir, with only 27 convictions secured out of 214 cases decided by courts during the period.
The data, provided by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma, reveals that between January 1, 2020, and March 2026, the bureau received 23,798 complaints. However, only 534 FIRs were registered, reflecting a complaint-to-FIR conversion rate of just 2.24 per cent.
According to the ACB, complaints undergo rigorous scrutiny before being converted into formal cases. Despite enforcement efforts, judicial outcomes indicate significant challenges, with 72 acquittals and 115 cases not proved during the same period.
The data further shows that 325 cases were chargesheeted, while 432 remain under investigation. On the enforcement front, the ACB arrested 267 public servants, including 20 gazetted and 247 non-gazetted officers, and conducted 208 trap cases, recovering over Rs 1.22 crore in bribe money.
Region-wise figures highlight uneven performance across ACB units. The Srinagar-Budgam-Ganderbal branch recorded the highest activity, registering 178 FIRs and arresting 93 officers through 70 trap cases. Of these, 83 cases were chargesheeted, while 129 remain under investigation. Judicial outcomes in this unit include four convictions, 17 acquittals, and 25 discharges.
The Jammu-Samba-Kathua unit registered 94 FIRs and arrested 32 officers through 25 trap cases. Of these, 54 cases were chargesheeted and 82 remain under probe. The unit recorded 15 convictions, 23 acquittals, and 28 cases not proved.
Other units also reported significant activity, including Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora with 81 cases, Anantnag-Pulwama-Kulgam-Shopian with 54, Central with 51, Pir Panjal with 28, Doda with 27, and Udhampur with 21 cases. These led to multiple arrests across regions.
However, despite 89 cases being chargesheeted in the Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora branch and 13 in the Central branch, no convictions were secured among 70 accused in these units. In Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora, 12 accused were acquitted and 11 discharged, while in the Central branch, six cases ended without proof of charges.
Raman Sharma stated that the RTI findings highlight a significant gap between enforcement actions and judicial outcomes in corruption cases. He noted that while arrests and trap operations continue, the conversion of complaints into FIRs and eventual convictions remains limited, pointing to systemic challenges in tackling corruption effectively in the Union Territory.
The RTI reply also noted that the ACB continues its preventive and awareness initiatives, including observance of Vigilance Awareness Week and International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, aimed at promoting transparency and accountability among officials and the public.