The Delhi HC has likened corruption to the HIV and AIDS -causing virus in a case where a peon, clerk and a subordinate engineer sought suspension of their sentence.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has likened corruption to the HIV and AIDS -causing virus in a case where a peon, clerk and a subordinate engineer sought suspension of their sentence.
“Corruption in a civilised society is a disease like cancer, which if not detected in time, is sure to afflict the polity of the country leading to disastrous consequences,’’ said Justice SN Dhindra
Interestingly, the judgment comes at a time when Transparency International, a global corruption watchdog, said its annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals a marginal improvement in perceived levels of corruption in India.
India scored 3.3 this year on a 0 to 10 scale against 2.9 in 2005. Ten indicates a corruption-free society and 0, the most corrupt. India now ranks 70 among 163 other countries in the corruption index. Analysts and market experts however rubbish these findings saying the booming economy in the country indicates that the corruption in business has been exaggerated.
Justice Dhindra, however, held that “The socio-political system exposed to such a dreaded communicable diseased is likely to crumble under its own weight.
“Corruption is opposed to democracy and social order. Not only is it anti-people but also aimed and targeted against them.”
“It affects the economy and destroys the cultural heritage. Unless nipped in the bud, it is likely to cause turbulence, shaking the socio-economic-political system in an otherwise healthy, wealthy, effective and vibrant society,” he added.
The three men were sentenced to jail for accepting bribes worth up to Rs15000. Rejecting their pleas, Justice Dhingra recalled a Supreme Court’s judgment on corruption and reiterated that “corruption is termed as a plague which is not only contagious but if not controlled spreads like a fire in a jungle.”
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