The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) is preparing to launch a mobile application that will enable citizens to register complaints of corruption directly. The app will allow users to submit videos, photographs, and other evidence of corrupt practices to the bureau.
Citizen-Friendly Design and Anonymity
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, SV&ACB chief AS Chawla stated that the proposed application is being developed with a focus on simplicity and user-friendliness. A key feature of the app is the option for complainants to report corruption anonymously. All information received through the app will be verified and appropriate action will be taken.
Impressive Anti-Corruption Drive in 2026
Chawla provided details of the bureau's recent achievements. During the first five months of 2026, the SV&ACB registered 83 criminal cases as part of a sustained anti-corruption drive. Among these, 67 were trap operations where officials, employees, and private individuals were caught red-handed while accepting bribes. Over 117 working days from January to May, this equates to an average of one successful raid every alternate day.
Between January 1 and May 31, the bureau also initiated 40 departmental inquiries involving officials from various departments, including town planners, tehsildars, Block Development and Panchayat Officers, and senior accounts and medical officials. Of these, 36 inquiries have been completed, leading to recommendations for departmental action against 63 gazetted officers and 10 non-gazetted employees. Additionally, four cases resulted in recommendations to register criminal cases against three gazetted officers, one non-gazetted employee, and 16 private individuals.
Among the 67 persons arrested in trap operations, the accused included eight Group-B officers, 51 Group-C employees, and nine private individuals. In all cases, FIRs have been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and investigations are ongoing.
Convictions and Streamlined Reimbursement
Following investigation, 20 accused were convicted across 18 cases during this period, including officers, employees, and private individuals from various departments. In most cases, courts imposed sentences of up to five years of rigorous imprisonment.
Chawla also announced that the revolving fund mechanism is being streamlined to ease the financial burden on complainants. Any amount spent by a complainant to facilitate a trap operation will now be reimbursed from the revolving fund within 15 to 20 days. This reform is expected to significantly boost public confidence and engagement with the bureau.
