INVESTIGATION AND ENQUIRIES

Special Courts
There are four Special Courts functioning in the State exclusively for the trial of Vigilance Cases charged by this Bureau with Headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur and Kozhikode respectively.

Vigilance Tribunals
There are two Vigilance Tribunals, one each at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode to conduct detailed enquiry in disciplinary proceedings warranting the award of major penalties referred by the Government on the recommendations of this Bureau or otherwise relating to Gazetted officers in respect of matters involving corruption. The Vigilance Tribunals after completing enquiry forward the reports directly to Government with their recommendations for final disposal by Government.
Government vide Circular No. 5681/C3/98/Vig. dated 31.12.2001 reiterated that the directions contained in Rule 5(b) and (C) of Kerala Civil Services (Vigilance Tribunal) Rules should be followed scrupulously by all Department Officers and they shall forward all disciplinary cases relating to Gazetted Officers in respect of matters involving corruption on the part of such officers, to Government in the Vigilance Department for the purpose of ordering disciplinary enquiry by the Vigilance Tribunals.

Departmental Action

The Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau recommends departmental disciplinary action against officers where the evidence collected during enquiry/investigations is not sufficient either to order a Tribunal Enquiry or to launch a successful prosecution. In such cases the concerned Administrative Departments will initiate action and issue final orders in consultation with the Government in Vigilance Department [G.O. (P) No. 46/97/Vig. Dated 31.7.1997].

INVESTIGATION AND ENQUIRIES

Vigilance Cases
Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau registers Cases under the P.C. Act 1988 on finding prima facie evidence of criminal misconduct by Public Servants after conducting Vigilance Enquiries/Confidential Verifications/Surprise Checks and on receipt of information of demand of bribe by Public Servants. Vigilance Cases are registered by the Unit Offices on getting sanction from Director of the Bureau after assessing the evidence available. In Trap Cases, the Unit Officers are authorised to register Cases suo-motu.
For the purpose of registering and investigating cases under PC Act 1988 and IPC, all the buildings, in which the unit offices (District Units, Range Units and Special Units) and Directorate are functioning, are notified as Vigilance Police stations in exercise of the powers conferred by clause(s) of the Section 2 of the code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974). [Consolidated notification issued vide Government notification No. 10058/C1/2000/Vig. dated 4.12.2000].

Vigilance Enquiries
Vigilance Enquiries are ordered by Government based on complaints received. This Bureau does not initiate Vigilance Enquiries on its own

Confidential Verifications
Besides Vigilance Enquiries, this Bureau conducts Confidential Verifications also on its own initiative or as per Government directive. Confidential Verifications are conducted mainly on the allegation of amassment of wealth by Public servants through corrupt practices.

Surprise Checks
The Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau on its initiative conducts Surprise Checks upon receipt of petitions and source reports. The Superintendents of Police of this Bureau are also empowered to order Surprise Checks based on information received by them.
Investigation Teams

The Bureau works through investigation teams. An investigation team consists of one Deputy Superintendents of Police/Inspector, one Sub Inspector/Assistant Sub Inspector, one Head Constable and two Constables. Each team is provided with a vehicle (Car or Jeep).

System of Scrutiny
In the Vigilance & Anti-corruption Bureau, we have a very elaborate system of scrutiny in order to ensure that innocent officers are not harassed while the corrupt ones are brought to book. The Investigating Officer prepares a very detailed Factual Report after completing investigation. This is then forwarded along with the legal opinion of the Assistant Legal Advisor to the Superintendent of Police who forwards it along with his detailed comments to the Directorate, where it is subjected to exhaustive scrutiny by an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police/Dy. Inspector General of Police. It is only at the end of this elaborate procedure that the case is put up to the Director for his decision as to whether prosecution sanction should be sought from the Government.

SPECIAL DRIVES CONDUCTED  BY VACB DURING 2009

1. SURPRISE CHECK ON ASSISTANT CONTROLLERS OF DRUG CONTROL DEPARTMENT
On the basis of GL No.2569/C2/09/Vig dated 25/04/2009 officers of VACB were conducted surprise Check in all Assistant Controllers of Drug Control Departments on 24/06/2009.  Reports from some units are awaiting.

2. SURPRISE CHECK ON VILLAGE OFFICERS
This was conducted on 29/05/2009 as a part of state vide surprise check on the basis of Letter No. 54/Camp/VACB/SRT dated 27/05/2009 ordered by Director, VACB on the allegation of corruption against the officials in village offices.  Report from some units are awaiting.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT - I