Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Special Police Establishment (SPE) of the Lokayukta and the State Economic Offences Wing are set to establish a ‘revolving fund’ to ensure that complainants get back the bribe money they handed over to corrupt officials while a trap was laid to catch them.
The SPE will require approximately Rs 3 crore from the state government for this fund. From the next financial year, complainants approaching the Lokayukta will get their seized amount back as soon as the agency submits the chargesheet in the court, said officials here on Friday.
Under the new provisions set to be enforced next year, as soon as the police file the chargesheet in court, the Lokayukta SPE will withdraw the amount from the revolving fund and give it to the complainant, thus reducing the waiting period.
Once the court delivers its judgement, the seized amount held by the court will be deposited into the Lokayukta’s account. Every year, a number of people approach Lokayukta police to report corruption. The complainant has to arrange the money to be given as a bribe.
As per the trap operation, the cash is then treated and then handed over to the corrupt official. This amount remains with the Lokayukta until the court decides the case. Complainants often have to wait a long time -sometimes years – to get their money back, with no interest paid on it. People in know of the matter said that sometimes people are reluctant to file the complaint as the amount they hand over as bribe is returned after several months. In 2020, as many as 257 traps were laid by the SEP to catch hold of corrupt government employees, in 2023, the number dropped to 180, last year though there was a slight rise in the complaints and 197 traps were laid.
Year
Cases 2020, 257
2023 180
2024 197
