Pune: Maharashtra once again recorded the highest number of corruption cases in India in 2024, nearly twice that of Tamil Nadu, which secured the second position. The 2024 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, released on Wednesday, revealed that the state registered 721 corruption cases in 2024, marginally lower than the previous year's 812. Maharashtra has topped the list since at least 2014, when it reported 1,316 cases of corruption. In 2022, the state reported 749 cases, while there were 773 in 2021 and 664 in 2020.
Factors Behind High Case Numbers
Sanjeev Kumar Singhal, director general of police of the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), attributed the high number of cases to several factors, including an easier complaint mechanism, the extensive reach of the ACB across the state, and the large population under its jurisdiction compared to other states. Some experts suggested that the high number could indicate stricter enforcement and proactive anti-corruption action relative to other states, where similar offenses may go under-reported or actions may not be pursued aggressively.
Activists Raise Concerns
However, activists pointed out that regardless of the police's claims, the fact remains that Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of corruption cases for several consecutive years. "The irony is that only a few of these corrupt people caught by the ACB face any kind of action," said activist Anjali Damania. She added that the extent of corruption could be assessed from the fact that officers, even those from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), are caught taking bribes these days. Vihar Dhurve, another activist, remarked, "It was Mumbai and Maharashtra from which the highest funds were raised through electoral bonds. Not just the lower rank, but senior most officials are also involved in corruption."
Regional Breakdown
According to another dataset released by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2025, Nashik, with 154 offenses of corruption in 2024, was the worst among the regions in the state. The Pune region followed with 149 cases.
ACB's Reach and History
Sanjeev Kumar Singhal further explained, "We have officers of the rank of deputy superintendent of police and other personnel posted in every district across the state, which may not be the case in several other states. This has made our teams far more accessible to complainants and results in a higher number of actions being initiated." According to the department's official website, anti-corruption branches in the state were first set up for Mumbai and mofussil areas in 1946 and were later centralized in 1953. "Given its long history and widespread presence, the ACB has been able to reach a larger population, which also helped in increasing public awareness about the department and the process for lodging complaints," he added.
