A pattern of prolonged investigations and stalled prosecutions within Telangana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) departments has drawn sharp criticism from the Forum for Good Governance (FGG). The organization has repeatedly alerted the Chief Minister's office and other state officials to these extensive delays, warning that they undermine the deterrent effect of anti-corruption efforts and potentially allow officials to evade accountability.
Long Road to Justice in Corruption Cases
The Forum for Good Governance (FGG) has formally communicated its concerns to the Chief Minister of Telangana, highlighting what it terms "abnormally low" disposal rates for cases handled by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) department. These concerns are particularly acute regarding cases originating from the Revenue Department.
The FGG asserts that while new cases continue to be registered, suggesting active enforcement, official statistics reveal a concerning reality where these cases often fail to reach a swift conclusion.
This persistent delay, the FGG argues, creates an illusion of accountability without the substantive impact of timely punishment, thereby diminishing the fear of consequence among government employees.
Data Reveals Stalled Progress
Evidence gathered by the FGG indicates a significant backlog and protracted timelines for corruption cases.
Read More: Telangana CM Says BJP Uses Owaisi to Get Votes
Between November 2020 and November 2025, the ACB registered 621 cases.
Of these, final inquiry reports were completed in 519 cases, but a substantial 519 cases await prosecution sanction from the government.
Some cases have reportedly been pending for as long as 15 years.
Even after prosecution sanction is granted, court procedures can add three to five years, extending the total time for a case to eight to ten years, and in some instances, up to 13 years from the case's registration.
| Case Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Registration to Sanction | Years to over a decade |
| Sanction to Court | 3-5 years |
| Total Case Lifecycle | 8-10 years, up to 15 years |
Sanction Stage Identified as a Bottleneck
A primary reason for the extensive delays appears to be the sanctioning process, where cases are held up before formal legal proceedings can commence.
Files often remain at the sanction stage for prolonged periods, even after the ACB has completed its initial investigation.
This delay means that officials facing corruption charges may retire or move to different positions before any conclusive action is taken.
The FGG has explicitly requested clear instructions to expedite the sanction process and ensure that ACB cases proceed to court without significant pauses.
Impact on Deterrence and Public Trust
The prolonged nature of these investigations has broader implications for the fight against corruption in Telangana.
Read More: Telangana's New Wildlife Chief: Can Vinay Kumar Tame Human-Tiger Conflict?
The FGG warns that "stalled sanctions" are a key hurdle, significantly slowing down the progress of ACB cases.
When cases drag on for years, it reportedly sends a "wrong signal to government employees," suggesting that they can evade punishment.
This lack of timely resolution can erode public confidence in the efficacy of anti-corruption mechanisms.
The organization highlights that in routine trap cases or disproportionate asset cases, accused officials are often expected to be prosecuted within six months of case registration, a standard that is evidently not being met.
Calls for Swift Action and Systemic Reform
The Forum for Good Governance has made specific appeals to the Chief Minister to address these systemic issues.
The FGG urges the Chief Minister to issue firm directives to streamline the disposal of ACB cases and ensure timely prosecution.
They advocate for all ACB and V&E cases to be concluded within two years of registration.
The forum also pointed out that while some disciplinary cases have had timelines fixed, this does not appear to be consistently applied to ACB prosecutions.
Official Response: When asked for comment on the ACB's preventive effect being undermined, the Director General of ACB Telangana, Charu Sinha, declined to provide a statement.
Conclusion: A Persistent Challenge
The consistent reporting by the Forum for Good Governance underscores a significant and long-standing challenge in the administration of justice concerning corruption cases in Telangana. The extensive delays, particularly at the sanctioning stage, raise questions about the effectiveness of current procedures in holding public officials accountable. The FGG's repeated calls for time-bound disposal and streamlined processes indicate a critical need for administrative intervention to ensure that anti-corruption efforts are not merely procedural but are also effective in their ultimate aim of deterring and punishing corrupt practices.
Sources
The Hindu: Reports from The Hindu extensively cover the Forum for Good Governance's statements, citing specific data on case backlogs, delays, and the sanctioning process. The articles detail the FGG's communications with the Chief Minister and highlight specific examples of stalled cases.
FGG flags years-long delay in Telangana ACB, vigilance cases; urges CM to ensure time-bound disposal
ACB clocked 621 cases in five years but 519 await prosecution nod: Forum for Good Governance
Anti-corruption cases hit 13-year logjam, FGG urges Chief Minister’s intervention
Forum flags delays in ACB prosecutions, says conviction rate stuck at 50%
Govt. fixes time schedule for inquiry into disciplinary cases against employees
FGG urges Telangana CM for a single Act to govern all municipalities and municipal corporations
New Indian Express: This report focuses on the specific issue of stalled sanctions as a primary cause for the delay in ACB cases.
FGG flags stalled sanctions as key hurdle slowing ACB corruption cases
Telangana Today: This article reports on the FGG's broader concerns about corruption and the lack of fear of punishment among employees.
Rampant corruption in Telangana administration, says Forum for Good Governance
Deccan Chronicle: This piece provides an example of a lengthy pending case and quotes the FGG president on contributing factors to delays.
The Week: This report highlights the ineffectiveness of the ACB and quotes the FGG president on government employees' perceptions of impunity.
621 cases, little fear: Report exposes ineffectiveness of Telangana's ACB
Siasat Daily: This article details the FGG's request to the Chief Minister to stop promotions for officials facing corruption charges.
End promotion of officials facing corruption charges: FGG to Telangana CM
Telangana Tribune: This report summarizes the FGG's plea for quick resolution of ACB cases and points to delays in secretariat departments.
Times of India: This article reports on material confiscated during election periods, showing general enforcement activities.
Brave (FGG Website): This provides a link to updates from the Forum for Good Governance, indicating their ongoing advocacy on various issues.
Read More: BJP Chief's Secret Telangana Mission: Is Mahabubnagar the Key to Southern Power?
)
