Letters: A profession of easy money

This refers to the editorial "Delayed, but justice' (September 29). The conviction of J Jayalalithaa by the Bangalore special court proves that the law is above individuals, however powerful or popular they may be. But a jail term of four years and a fine of Rs 100 crore imposed on the former chief minister, for amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs 66 crore over two decades ago, appears to be too harsh.

Consider the punishment against the bribes allegedly paid to politicians and the huge losses caused to the exchequer in cases such as the 2G spectrum scandal, where the accused are now out on bail. One only hopes the judiciary will award similar exemplary punishments (and speedily) to the guilty, so that the message goes out loud and clear that politics is no longer the "profession of easy money" that it once was.

V Jayaraman Chennai

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