THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The only remaining method for the Vigilance to arrest bribe-takers and imprison them is through trap operations since the government does not permit investigations, cases, or prosecutions of bribe-takers. A trap operation is a traditional practice of nabbing the bribe-takers while they accept bribe money from the complainants. So far, Vigilance has filed 45 cases through the operations conducted this year. 53 people have been arrested. This is an all-time record.

According to amendment 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the permission of higher authority is required to file cases against government employees, administrators and public servants. The investigation usually gets stopped midway as Vigilance does not get permission to file the case. However, Vigilance does not need anyone's permission to file a case against one who gets nabbed through a trap operation.

The trap operation is conducted after providing the serial numbers of the currency notes to be paid as bribes in advance in court and producing the phone call record of the bribe demand or the statement of the complainant. A gazetted officer appointed by the District Collector will also be made a part of the vigilance team. This officer's statement will be used as evidence in court. Therefore, the Vigilance will be able to bring bribe-takers to court and get them remanded. The officer who gets caught red-handed will have to spend at least three days in jail. He will also be suspended as he is in remand.

Officials who have taken bribes ranging from Rs.1000 to Rs. 75 lakh have been caught in trap operations. Those who took bribes on behalf of high officials were also arrested. Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham ordered that at least two trap operations should be conducted in each unit in six months.

Surge in trap cases

2015-----------20

2016-----------20

2017----------21

2018-----------16

2019-----------17

2020-----------24

2021-----------30

2022-----------45

Officials caught red-handed

Revenue---------20
Local self-government department--------15
Health---------5
Registration--------3
Education---------3
(One each in MG University, Water Authority, Police, SupplyCo, KSEB, Mining, Legal Metrology)