Corruption
Corruption is a many dimensional as well as a multi-faceted
problem. The administration of justice being a part of society, is bound sooner or later to be affected by what happens in the
rest of the society. Unfortunately, in this country it has afflicted most of the rungs of the judicial machinery much sooner
than was expected. The corruption takes various forms such as bribery, gifts and obligation, both during and after service.
Many times the lawyers and court-staff act as the go-betweens. This has a deleterious effect on the entire judicial
administration, since the members of the public believe the justice can only be bought. The image of the entire judiciary
to-day stands tarnished because of some blacksheep. The people have been losing faith in the administration of justice and have at
some places at least started resorting to extra-legal methods. The long term solution of the problem is of course a change in
the economic management of the society. But pending it, the menace has to be fought not only by lawyers, judges and litigants
but by the people as a whole. It must be realized that a loss of confidence in the judiciary whether on account of delays or
corruption, is the end of the rule of law and therefore of a civilized living. The problem therefore merits an urgent solution
on a war footing. The establishment of Vigilance Cells at appropriate levels, the formation of peoples' Vigilance
Committees at the local levels and an objective public scrutiny through media, of the decisions and orders of the Courts, couched
in temperate language and without attributing motives should serve effectively not only to combat corruption but also to keep
the judiciary on a proper tract by making it accountable to the people. It will also promote confidence of the people in the
judiciary and protect the honest and the upright.
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