Dismissing cop's plea, HC says 'corruption has become a rule'

Observing that corruption, which was once an exception to a civilised existence, has now "become a rule", the Madras High Court today rejected a petition by a police sub-inspector who was dismissed from service under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

"A stern view is to be taken, since the incidents of corruption are proliferating in alarming proportion in public employment and therefore, a deterrent punishment ought to be the order of the day to curb or curtail the abominable menace of corruption," Justice V Parthiban observed.

Turning down Palanimuthu's plea challenging the dismissal of mercy petition and the dismissal order of the DGP, the judge said, "Since this court is of the considered view that the proved corruption cannot be condoned under any circumstances and therefore dismissal order cannot even be remotely held to be disproportionate."
The amendment should be brought in with a similar provision "as provided for in, in CCS CCA rules under major penalty chapter incorporating only removal and dismissal from service in proved corruption cases, subject to of course, in exceptional cases with strong reasons needed to be recorded in writing by the disciplinary authority for imposing any other penalty."
"Unless, the monstrosity of ubiquitous corruption is handled with iron hand, it will eventually lead to a situation where the entire citizenry will be forced to participate in the game of corruption."