- Ladakh UT notifies jurisdiction of ACB Police Station
By Abishkar Upadhaya
Leh, Feb 06: In what could be termed as a major step to facilitate corruption free governance to people of Ladakh, the UT administration headed by Lieutenant Governor Brig (Dr.) B D Mishra have notified the jurisdiction of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Police Station paving way for action against the corrupt government officials.
The order stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred under clause (s) of Section 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Administration of UT of Ladakh hereby notifies the office of SP Vigilance, Ladakh as “Police Station”, having jurisdiction over the entire UT of Ladakh, for the purpose of investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, so far as relevant, apply in respect thereto.”
The Additional Director General of Police, UT of Ladakh has been asked to provide the necessary support and human resource for the smooth functioning of the said ACB Police Station.
The order mentioned that the Office of SP, Vigilance would work under the overall control of the Chief Vigilance Officer, UT of Ladakh. “Moreover, the extant provisions contained in Sections 17, 17A, and 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 shall be strictly followed. For obtaining sanction for prosecution against the government officials from the Competent Authority, the request for the same shall be submitted to the Competent Authority through the General Administrative Department, UT of Ladakh,” the order further stated.
The notification of ACB Police Station will be a strong deterrent for government officials who are indulging in corrupt practices owing to which poor citizens were being harassed. Now, people will be able to lodge complaints against the acts of corruption in govt offices. It will pave the way for a corruption free regime in UT Ladakh, a top official said.
Pertinent to mention here that in the erstwhile state of J&K, six Police Stations of the Anti-Corruption Bureau were notified. However, no police station of Anti-Corruption Bureau was notified for Ladakh division but the Police Station of Anti-Corruption Bureau of Srinagar had jurisdiction over Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh.
