Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 14: The Government is amending the Anti-Corruption Act and recommendations to this effect are being sent to the General Administrative Department (GAD) within one week for Cabinet sanction.
This was submitted by Advocate General M I Qadri before the Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice M H Attar, which was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on amendments to Anti-Corruption Act.
The AG submitted a compliance report before the Bench regarding amendment to the anti-corruption Act in which it mentioned the State Government has conferred powers to Additional District Judges to function as Special Judge-Anti-Corruption within their respective jurisdictions.
The Government had constituted a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to decide about amendments needed in the State Prevention and Corruption Act 2006.
The court had given seven suggestions to amend Act which included awarding maximum of 20 years and minimum of 6 years in jail under Section 5 (2) of the Act, making bail provisions stringent and parallel to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act.
“In case after receipt of report/record from the Vigilance Organization, the Competent Authority does not record sanction for prosecution within a period of one month, it shall be deemed that sanction for prosecution has been granted,” reads the fourth suggestions made at the bar during course of the hearing on July 4 and to be considered by the Chief Secretary.
The others suggestions include posting and appointing of more trained Investigation Officers in Vigilance Organization and prescribing outer time limit for conducting investigation; ensuring that once the charge is framed, trial shall continue on day to day basis till its conclusion and lastly Investigation Officer shall be made responsible to ensure attendance of the prosecution witnesses before the trial court.
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