Maharashtra: In a striking revelation, the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered 212 bribery cases in just three and a half months, booking 308 individuals and recovering Rs 89.79 lakh in bribe money. The crackdown highlights a deeply entrenched corruption problem, with 30 Class I officers and 30 out of 47 government departments under scrutiny.
As per data provided, the Nashik division led in the number of cases (45), followed by Pune (40). Nashik also saw the highest number of accused (62), narrowly ahead of Pune’s 61. Other divisions like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (31 cases, 42 accused), Nagpur (25 cases, 36 accused), Thane (21 cases, 31 accused), and Amravati (18 cases, 22 accused) also featured prominently. Mumbai, despite being the state capital, reported 15 cases with 28 individuals booked.
While the ACB has intensified its operations, administrative delays and lack of follow-through continue to hinder outcomes. Since 2014, the bureau recommended suspensions in 181 cases, but these remain pending. Additionally, 373 departmental inquiries are yet to be resolved.
Moreover, eight corruption cases involving properties worth Rs 9.04 crore are still awaiting state orders for freezing the assets. These include 36 Class I, 32 Class II, and 107 Class III officials.
Shockingly, even after court convictions from 2013 to 2025, 21 convicted public servants continue to hold their posts without dismissal.
High-Risk Departments Under Lens
Departments that frequently interact with the public have emerged as hotspots for bribery. These include:
Revenue
Municipal Councils
Zilla Parishads
Panchayat Samitis
Public Health
Public Works Department (PWD)
Regional Transport Office (RTO)
Law and Judiciary
Two cases also fall under broader administrative corruption.
423 Cases Still Awaiting Prosecution Approvals
Despite uncovering extensive evidence, 423 cases are stuck awaiting government and departmental permissions to proceed. Of these, 117 are pending with the state government, and 306 with departments and municipal bodies. Alarmingly, 349 of these approvals have been pending for over two years, exposing a major bottleneck in the justice delivery system.
From January 1 to April 14, 2025, the ACB’s data paints a troubling picture of widespread graft and systemic delay in action. While the bureau has ramped up efforts to uncover bribery and corruption, the lack of timely administrative response and pending approvals continues to shield many from consequences, raising serious concerns about governance and accountability in Maharashtra.
