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Time to tackle corruption in judiciary

Corruption is rampant and judges are no exception. Broadly speaking, people can be divided into three categories. The first 10 per cent are honest. The second 10 per cent are dishonest irrespective of the quantum of punishment. The third (80 per cent) tend to remain honest and would abide by the law unless they feel they could easily get through doing something improper.

The first category does not need the law. The law will be ineffective in case of the second. Law is meant only for the third category as it goes astray in the absence of a proper system.

Sadly, in India, law is enforced only for the weak and downtrodden. One may be jailed for accepting a bribe of Rs 20, but nothing happens to the big fish taking crores of rupees. The Supreme Court had observed many years ago that the Indian judicial system is like a spider’s web where even the tiniest creature will be caught but a bumblebee would manage to get out.

Sadly, even the judiciary is not above reproach. Things have come to such a pass that the Chief Justice of India has asked the judges to declare their assets.

Redemption lies in applying the law equally to all even to those who are, to paraphrase Churchill, “more equal than others”. Accountability must be fixed at all levels and defaulters brought to justice.

CHITRANJAN SHARMA, Advocate, Chandigarh

II

I am happy that Chief Justice of India Justice K.G. Balakrishnan has taken the job of cleansing the judiciary and restoring people’s faith in this great institution. He should also try to tackle the problem of poor infrastructure provided both to the judges and advocates.

Some judges may give rulings in the government’s favour, keeping in view post-retirement prospects. This should be curbed and litigants given their due relief. Corporates hiring top class lawyers are heard faster than small individuals. This must be set right.

The CJI should prevail upon the government to open more courts and increase the number of judges at all levels.

VASUDEV, Bangalore

III

The Chief Justice of India has rightly advised the high court judges to declare their assets. The judges, being honest and sincere citizens holding constitutional posts, should accept this advice in the right spirit and cooperate with the CJI.

In fact, the Centre should enact a law making mandatory for all the earning citizens to submit their moveable and immovable property returns annually to the appropriate authorities so that if ever any person amasses wealth more than his known sources, he can be taken to task.

N. S. KHIVA, Muktsar

Prohibitive cost

Recently, the Haryana Public Service Commission, Chandigarh, has advertised some posts for the HCS (Judicial Branch) Examination. However, to the dismay of the aspiring candidates, the application form for this examination was priced at Rs 1,000!

Most aspirants are unemployed and by any standard, this cost was prohibitive. Was this pricing policy aimed at preventing brilliant but poor candidates from taking the examination?

HARMINDER KAUR, Mohali

Cause of unrest

Sushant Sareen’s article, “No vivisection of India” was a welcome attempt to analyse the basic cause of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. What have we achieved in 60 years even after extending special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and various economic packages to the state? The writer has rightly summed up that all the pro-Pakistan elements in Kashmir should be encouraged to go to Pakistan.

Also, Kashmir should be thrown open to every Indian citizen for settlement there. I would like to add one more to the last suggestion that all those brave security persons, who fought for the country against separatists, should be allotted land in Kashmir with some monetary help to develop those lands and settle down there after retirement. Once again, when people of all regions and religions mix up in Kashmir, things will improve in this strife-torn state.

MANMOHAN JOHAR, Panchkula