It is indeed a matter of shame for our governance when Justice Markandey Katju and Justice TS Thakur had to ‘advise’ the government to ‘legalise’ corruption by fixing rates of ‘convenience-fees’ to save people from hardships of bargaining bribes in government-offices! Only a fear psychology developed through stringent penalties right up to death-sentence can prevent ever-rising corruption. Monetary amounts involved in scams and scandals should be basis for punishments like death-sentence, life-imprisonment and other subsequent lower jail-sentence apart from confiscating properties of corrupt persons and their family members. Since in this corruption starts from the top, such steps should be initiated from top by supersonic trial of cases especially involving elected representatives with a time-bound decision at every stage of trial on basis of day-to-day hearing avoiding any postponements or long dates. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is renowned for his personal honesty, should act bold and create history by openly announcing such steps without caring for his corrupt allies. His government will then get support directly from public rather than blackmailing political allies.
Madhu Agrawal
Delhi