ACB Case Pendency Encouraging Corruption: FGG

Alleging abnormal delays in the disposal of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Vigilance cases, the Forum for Good Governance (FGG) today urged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to intervene and streamline procedures to ensure timely action against erring officials.

The FGG said that the prolonged pendency of corruption-related cases was weakening accountability and eroding public trust in governance.

In a detailed representation addressed to the Chief Minister, FGG president M Padmanabha Reddy expressed concern that corruption in the administration had allegedly increased since the formation of Telangana, with delays in disciplinary action creating a perception that officials faced little consequence for wrongdoing.

The FGG cited information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the Revenue Department, following sustained efforts and appeals after an initial refusal to share the data. According to the department's response dated January 27, 2026, a total of 323 ACB cases were received, but only five had been disposed of so far, leaving 318 pending, many dating back to before 2014.

Of 129 Vigilance cases, only eight had been disposed of and 121 remained pending, and several of the poending ones were over a decade old. The forum described the disposal rate as abnormally low and indicative of systemic delays in addressing corruption complaints.

In its representation, the forum alleged that Secretariat departments were acting as protective shields for tainted officials by delaying decisions on inquiry reports. It claimed that even when Vigilance investigations cited maladministration, nepotism, dereliction of duty, or decisions taken for personal gain, disciplinary action was often delayed for years or diluted.

According to the forum, such delays undermined the credibility of anti-corruption mechanisms, especially as ACB trap cases received widespread media coverage, creating public expectations of swift punishment and improved governance.

The forum also argued that prolonged pendency allowed some officials accused of corruption to continue in service without case closure. It also claimed that in certain instances, officials had allegedly been caught more than once by anti-corruption authorities, reflecting weak enforcement.

"These delays are not only causing hardship to citizens but also denting the image of the government," the representatives said, and called for the need for timely action to restore confidence in administrative systems.

The forum requested the Chief Minister to introduce systemic reforms and ensure that ACB and Vigilance cases were concluded within two years of registration. The organisation believes that establishing strict timelines and monitoring mechanisms could significantly improve transparency and accountability.