CJI says corruption is violation of Human Rights

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Chief Justice Of India K G Balakrishnan today said ''Corruption, as in discourse of International law is now considered a violation of basic Human Rights.'' He was speaking here on a National Summit by Foundation for Restoration of National Values conducted by spiritual leader Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha and Dr E Sreedharan of DMRC Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Corruption, he said is identified with any person or institution who misuses power and discretion conferred on the same. Practices such as the acceptance of favours or misappropriation of public funds have actually come to be described as perks of holding public office and employment.

Admittedly the extent of corruption may have links with increasing disparity between pay scales offered in public and private sectors which effects the quality of governance.

Reacting on the media anxiety of corruption in the Higher judiciary, the CJI said "Judiciary is the watch dog of the rights of citizens and the allegations raise the questions who will watch the Watch dogs.

He said that long term solutions like imbibing spirit of public service should be adopted. We need to rebuild a culture where examples of integrity, personal sacrifice and innovation are given due recognition. Conflicts in our pluralist society should be resolved by rational and constructive dialogue and methods of persuation as opposed to methods of confrontation.

Agonised by the recent trends of violence the CJI said that differences based on caste religion, gender, class, regionalism continue to be the root cause of organised crime and often institutional violence.

There have been senseless cases of violence and disruptions of routine lives in different parts of the country on flimsiest grounds just to polarise the electrorate, the CJI said. Such a regressive brand of political action is threatening the very foundation of our Constitution and divide the country, he said.

Those who respect the ''rule of law'' ''equal treatment before law'' and ''due process'' should ensure a climate where constitutionally guaranteed rights are respected and promoted and even when there is strong polarisation of views, the method of persuation should be preferred, the CJI said.

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