Corruption hindering growth, observes SC

New Delhi, Nov 5: Corruption among public servants has become a gigantic problem and the menace is affecting adversely nation-building activities, observed the Supreme Court.

A Division Bench comprising Justices S B Sinha and Dalveer Bhandari, while allowing an appeal by Madhya Pradesh government against a judgment of the state High Court in a graft case against an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police on November 2, observed, ''Corruption is like a cancer, which is fast depleting the vital veins of the body politics, social fabric, efficiency in public service and demoralising the honest officials.'' The Madhya Pradesh High Court had acquitted ASI Shambhu Dayal Nagar, who was sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 500 for accepting a bribe by a lower court.

Nagar demanded Rs 3500 from the complainant, Badan Singh, for arresting people who had beaten Singh's sister in August 1996. The ASI threatened Singh that the other party has filed a case against them and Singh along with his brother may be arrested.

On a complaint against the errant cop, Nagar was arrested red-handed accepting the bribe.

Rejecting the plea for leniency in the case, the apex court directed to uphold the impugned judgment setting aside the High Court order.

The court also quoted with approval the observations made by the apex court in Swantatar Singh versus State of Haryana, ''The efficiency in public service would improve only when the public servant devotes his sincere attention and does the duty diligently, truthfully, honestly and devotes himself assidously to the performance of the duties of his post. The reputation of corrupt would gather thick and unchaseably clouds around the conduct of the officer and gain notoriety much faster than the smoke.''

UNI