Right to Information inquiries have revealed the inability of the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offence Wing (EOW) to ensure justice for thousands of citizens who have fallen prey to white-collar criminals, an RTI activist has alleged.
According to the information obtained under RTI from January 1, 2018, to July 2023, the EOW registered an alarming 594 new cases related to economic offences. However, during the same period, a mere 264 chargesheets, summary reports, and closure reports were filed. This disparity implies that approximately half of these cases are still being investigated, leaving countless victims in a limbo.
What’s more, the approximate amount involved in the 594 cases is a staggering Rs 59,057 crore, claimed RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge.
The figures further paint a bleak picture. Within the period mentioned, a startling 319 accused were acquitted, while only 14 were convicted. This dismal conviction rate, accounting for just 4 per cent of the total accused, raises serious concerns about the EOW’s effectiveness, Ghadge told News18.
In cases of economic offences, refunding the money to victims is a critical component of the justice system. However, the EOW has fallen short, having managed to refund a mere Rs 37,24,81,214 so far. This figure represents less than 1 per cent of the Rs 59,000 crore currently under investigation, leaving victims grappling with financial loss, the activist said.
One of the most disconcerting aspects of this revelation is that 93 accused remain absconding, eluding justice and compounding the challenges faced by victims. According to Ghadge, “The revelations serve as a stark reminder of the need for reform and efficiency within Mumbai’s Economic Offences Wing to ensure justice for victims of white-collar crimes. In the past, an IPS officer serving as DCP at EOW Mumbai was suspended for alleged criminal offences. A high-level inquiry should be ordered if there were any malpractices that led to such low conviction rates.”
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