Seize properties of corrupt govt officials, says CJI

New Delhi, Sep 12 (PTI) Chief Justice of India K G
Balakrishnan Saturday favoured statutory provision for seizure
of illegal properties and assets of government officials
convicted in corruption cases.

He also wanted specialised teams of lawyers to ensure
that they will progressively develop expertise in prosecuting
corruption-related cases.

"If a public official amasses wealth at the cost of
public, then the state is justified in seizing such assets,"
Balakrishnan said at a national seminar on 'Fighting Crimes
related to Corruption'.

"One prominent suggestion is the inclusion of a statutory
remedy that will enable confiscation of properties belonging
to persons who are convicted of offences under the Prevention
of Corruption Act (PCA)", the Chief Justice said.

The CJI said procedural delays like granting sanction and
difficulty in marshalling large number of witnesses were the
major hurdles in achieving meaningful convictions when the
anti-corruption agencies was already finding it difficult to
grapple with 9,000 pending cases due to shortage of designated
courts.

"It is necessary (that) there should be a speedy manner
of granting sanction. The prosecution becomes ineffective if
the sanction is granted after 6-7 years," he said.

Balakrishnan expressed concern that Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) relies on large number of witnesses in the
corruption cases instead of coming out with solid witnesses
which unnecessary prolongs the trial of the case for 3 to 4
years.

"Instead of having 8 to 10 witnesses, emphasis should be
on having one solid witness to prove the case," he said.
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