CBI-Vigilance alliance to trap corrupt; CBI hands over confidential information

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance joins hands with CBI to prevent corruption and catch corrupt officials. Bribe takers can be caught through trap operations based on the information provided by CBI. Cooperation with CBI is an advantage for Vigilance, which has limitations in conducting secret investigations.

The CBI used to catch corruption of central officials on its own. It stopped when the state government withdrew the general permission given to the CBI to file a case. Permission has to be sought for each case. Most applications are rejected. Even if a chargesheet is filed, the prosecution does not get permission.

Vigilance also needs government permission to file a case, but trap operations that catch bribe-takers do not need it. Permission is also needed to file a case. It is in this context that the CBI is handing over corruption information to the Vigilance.

The CBI was the first to inform the Vigilance about Alex Mathew, the Deputy General Manager of Indian Oil Corporation, who was arrested in a bribery case. The ED is also cooperating with the Vigilance. The high-ranking connections of Vigilance Chief Yogesh Gupta, who worked in the CBI for five years and the ED for seven years, is what paved the way for the cooperation.

Extensive CBI system

• The CBI identifies corrupt individuals by tapping phones and collecting property information. The CBI has an extensive system to collect information secretly. It can also conduct digital surveillance.
• Vigilance is not allowed to tap phones. There are also limitations on secret investigation against central officials. According to the new criminal law, digital evidence is primary evidence. The digital evidence collected by the CBI, including that of bribery, will be decisive.

Corporate fraud can also be detected

• The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs is collaborating with Vigilance to detect corporate frauds

• Vigilance has been given permission to monitor the corporate management database

• How many companies are in a person's name can be found out faster. Information can be collected in two days by examining files

“There is cooperation from central agencies to prevent corruption. High-ranking officials who are taking bribes will also be arrested. Central officials are also under surveillance.”

-Yogesh Gupta,

Vigilance chief