Prosecute corrupt Commonwealth Games organisers

There shouldn’t be two opinions on upholding the sanctity of law and dispensation, provided it serves the cause of justice. Similarly, the term ‘scandalise’ is liberally used in justifying actions under the Contempt of Court Act. In the process, truth gets injured and the natural victim is public interest.

Though truth, scandalisation and public interest work in tandem, they are held in different esteems by different people and institutions. For instance, a new tone has been set by the government facing the Commonwealth Games (CWG). As allegations of corruption by the operators of CWG surmount, it’s pleaded that sacking one or two tainted operators would serve no public interest. It wouldn’t serve national interest, either, nay national honour. Ironically, those who are trying to hush up the scandals themselves have scooped huge doles from the public exchequer.

Are the demands for prosecution and execution of influential scandalous operators demeaning?

Truth, spoken or written in espousing the cause of public interest, can’t be scandalous or demeaning even to judiciary. The expose only serves public cause. People who serve an institution may not stay there forever, but the scandals they leave behind are scars that are hard to erase.

Since the Contempt of Court Act, a lethal armour that judges of superior courts can use in defence of the institution, was amended, truth has been accepted as a defence, provided it serves public interest.

The term ‘public interest’ is disputed, but it has been given due respect by the Supreme Court (SC). Lately, SC said truth should be allowed as a defence unless it is found that it is only a “camouflage to escape the consequences of deliberate or malicious attempt to scandalise the court or is an interference with the administration of justice”.

Thus, genuine expose of even judiciary can’t be subjected to the rigmarole of contempt proceedings. As such, why shouldn’t the pigmies who looted taxpayers’ money in the garb of bringing national honour face the supreme organ of the state, parliament?