CORRUPTION
AND ITS MENACE
The word “corruption” has become so popular
in the present Indian society that even totally illiterate person, having no knowledge of English alphabets or exact meaning of the
word “corruption”, is seen
talking about this dangerous disease and utter out this word with utmost ease
and accurate pronunciation.
This most popular word of present days can be
defined in many ways and has great impact on the society.
If we do something against the set standards, indulge in malpractices, take to
illegal means, try to show favour to others or buy favour from others in return of some monetary or other benefits, it can be included in
“corruption”.
India, the world’s largest and most stable democracy in the world, is worst
affected by the menace of corruption.
In such a large country with a population of over 120 crore belonging to various
religions, the corruption has spread its tentacles from top to
bottom in almost every sphere of life.
We read daily in the newspapers and watch
reports in electronic channels about the prevailing corruption and involvement of Union Ministers,
politicians and bureaucrats at the centre.
Similar cases are also unearthed in states too.
A number of scams and scandals have surfaced
during the last few years.
Many big problems like poverty, unemployment,
illiteracy, pollution, external threats, underdevelopment etc. bedevil India.
One might notice that corruption plays an important role in making
these problems even more intractable.
Our country is still facing poverty due to corruption.
Majority of the government departments and
executing agencies have become so corrupt that the schemes launched with much
publicity for the welfare and betterment of poor are not properly implemented
just because corruption comes into play.
The grants advanced to the poor does not reach
them and they remain in the same wretched condition and so does the problem of
poverty.
The same principle applies to the problem of
external threats too.
India’s neighbouring countries
are also a threat to the country and its sovereignty and are out to bleed this
country through thousand cuts.
Because of the officials or even few citizens
being corrupt either for their personal gain or enmity towards their home
country, the neighbours prove to be even more damaging. Such officials may leak
important information to the neighbours, which gives them an upper hand.
Corruption is not just limited to administration.
It is alleged that this menace is very much prevalent even in legislation
and judiciary so much so that it is probably the biggest challenge and needs to
be eradicated from its roots.
For the same purpose the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 had been enacted. Now, the
recent agitation launched by noted social activist Anna Hazare’s team and the
unprecedented public response to it is indicative of the public wrath and anger
over the corruption prevalent in the higher echelons of
the governance in the country.
Merely coming on roads and raising slogans to end corruption will never eradicate this disease from
the country.
Being responsible and well informed citizens, it
becomes our duty towards nation to take a pledge to uproot the corrupt
practices prevalent in the society.
Let us become honest and serve our mother-land so
that our country prospers and future of our young and unborn generations is
more secure than had been ours.
The causes of corruption are many and
complex. Following are some of the causes of corruption.
Emergence of political elite who believe in interest-oriented
rather than nation-oriented programmers and policies.
Artificial scarcity created by the people with
malevolent intentions wrecks the fabric of the economy.
Corruption is caused as well as increased
because of the change in the value system and ethical qualities of men who
administer. The old ideals of morality, service and honesty are regarded as an
achromatic.
Tolerance
of people towards corruption, complete lack of intense public
outcry against corruption and the absence of strong public forum to
oppose corruption allow corruption to reign
over people.
Vast size of population coupled with widespread
illiteracy and the poor economic infrastructure lead to
endemic corruption in public life.
In a highly inflationary economy, low salaries of
government officials compel them to resort to the road of corruption.
Graduates from IIMs with no experience draw a far handsome salary than what
government secretaries draw.
Complex laws and procedures alienate
common people to ask for any help from government.
Election time is
a time when corruption is at its peak level.
Big industrialist fund politicians to meet high
cost of election and ultimately to seek personal favour.
Bribery to politicians buys influence, and
bribery by politicians buys votes. In order to get elected, politicians bribe
poor illiterate people, who are slogging for two times’ meal.
Corrupt society are unable to support their
citizens, they starve their children not only for food, for education, health
care.
The consequence of this evil are
countless but few among them may be- When society is corrupted its
member become cynical and contemptuous of social and moral values.
Economists provide realistic evidence to prove
that corruption has an influence on economic growth.
Competitive markets and openness to trade reduce
corruption by decreasing the collection of rents available to be captured by
giving and taking bribes.
Many studies have shown that corruption has
pernicious effect on investment and growth.
Corruption also undermines the stability of the
government. We have examples where corrupt Ministers, M P ‘s were unseated and
chief ministers of states were compelled to resign their posts on corruption
charges.
Corruption is major obstacle to democracy and
rule of law.
In democratic system, offices and institutions
lose their credibility and legitimacy when they are misused for private
advantage.
Corruption is inherently contradictory and
irreconcilable with democracy.
Role of investigating agency in
detection of crime is vary crucial and there is general impression in public
that C B I and state agencies work under pressure of party in power
and this has been reinforced by the Apex court while
hearing into the coal allocation case expressing his
concern that ‘CBI is a caged parrot speaking in its master’s voice.
Besides autonomy there are other concern within
CBI to bring efficiency in investigation and strengthen prosecution within
organization.
As I remain associated with CBI and state ACB as
prosecutor for a quite long period.
I feel that CBI investigating offices are not
well-worse with law of evidence and thereby there investigation is very lengthy
and voluminous, which is the main reason of delayed disposal of cases.
CBI investigating officers are like HANUMAN of
Ramayan who is vary strong/ powerful but lack of legal knowledge .
When he was asked to bring Sanjeevani herb for the treatment of lord
Laxman from Samuru Mountain , as he was not identifying
the Sanjeevani herb so he brought whole Mountain and produced
before Vaida who was treating the Lord Laxman ,similar is
the case with investigating officers of CBI as they do
not know what kind of evidence is relevant for purpose of charge
against accused and there by collects all available record and put
it before the court to segregate the evidence which is relevant to charge
in question and it is Herculean task for
prosecutor to segregate and present the relevant evidence
before court. Prosecutor being under administrative control of
CBI authority, fear to take decision independently
as to what evidence he should present and what he should drop.
Therefore, there is need to separate and make independent
prosecution in CBI in light of section 25A of criminal
procedure code. In this connection, I will like to share case study of R C /AC
111/2/10 , CB I Delhi under section 8 of PC Act, 1988. There are 52
witness cited by I O in this case where as only 7
witnesses are sufficient to prove the charge but no one in CBI is ready
to hear on this aspect. speedy and effective trial is
not possible by large number of witness but only the relevant
evidence and proper presentation of evidence in a cases during trial
which will benefit in securing success of case and early disposal
and by this we can save precious
time of justice delivery system and moreover human resource which is most
precious. Therefore ,CB I officers should be imparted training to collect the
only relevant evidence as per law and not put all the seized material before
court of law which have no relevancy. It will help the
administration of justice in quick dispensing of justice which is main concern
of all.
