Kerala VACB- All Time Half Yearly Record In 2023

The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has achieved record performance in the first half of 2023. The VACB has detected 33 trap cases, where public servants were caught red-handed taking bribes. This is a significant increase from the 47 trap cases detected in 2022.

The VACB has also initiated 46 confidential verifications, 43 preliminary inquiries, 42 vigilance inquiries, and 489 surprise checks. This shows that the VACB is taking a proactive approach to fighting corruption.

In recent times, the Kerala VACB has emerged as a powerful deterrent force in the fight against corruption in the state. With a mission to build a "Corruption-free Kerala," the VACB has implemented a range of proactive and reactive measures to combat corruption at the grassroots level. These measures include a significant increase in Trap cases, expedited and efficient investigations into existing Vigilance Cases, surprise checks in corruption-prone offices, ensuring high conviction rates, creating a database of Known Corrupt Officers, taking targeted action against corrupt elements across departments, enhancing the capacity of vigilance staff, and conducting widespread awareness campaigns to mobilize public support against corruption.

Record Performance in Trap Cases

In 2022, the Kerala VACB achieved remarkable results with 47 Trap cases. This year, their efforts have intensified, and to date, they have detected 33 Trap cases where public servants were caught accepting bribes.

The figures of Trap cases detected in the last few years is as follows:-

Notable instances include the arrest of V Suresh Kumar, a field assistant in Palakkayam village, Palakkad, who was found with over one crore in his possession; an orthopedic surgeon in Thrissur caught with 15 lakhs in cash; and another doctor in Kozhikode caught with 11 lakhs in cash and 1.5 kg of gold from a locker.

The VACB has undertaken targeted and well-planned Vigilance enquiries against known corrupt individuals and cases involving substandard quality. These enquiries have played a significant role in correcting issues and reducing corruption. So far in 2023, the VACB has initiated 46 Confidential Verifications, 43 Preliminary Enquiries, 42 Vigilance enquiries, and conducted 489 surprise checks.

The public's confidence in the Vigilance department has increased significantly, as evidenced by the rise in petitions, complaints, and emails received compared to previous years. In 2023, as of June, the VACB has already received 5,279 petitions on corruption, more than double the number received in previous years.

By June 2023, the VACB has registered 93 vigilance cases related to wealth accumulation, misappropriation, and cheating, surpassing the numbers for the entire years of 2021 (82 cases) and 2020 (79 cases).

The effective functioning of the VACB has sent a strong message to corrupt elements in the public service and significantly reduced corruption at the grassroots level. The VACB is now focusing on departments where middlemen and agents have taken over the collection of money on behalf of public servants, as well as tackling major corruption cases involving embezzlement of public funds in works or purchases. The VACB encourages members of the public to support their efforts by submitting complaints and providing information through the Vigilance Toll-Free Number 1064 or via WhatsApp at 8592900900.