The New Indian Express ·
Nearly impossible to file corruption cases against the powerful, says Madras HC judge
CHENNAI: It was “almost impossible” to register corruption cases against powerful persons in the country, observed the Madras High Court on Monday, while questioning the delay in obtaining sanction to prosecute two IAS officers in a tender irregularities case, involving former minister S P Velumani.
“How difficult it is to register corruption cases against powerful people in this country? A judge sitting in this court is trying and trying. If there were no public-spirited persons or judges, there would not be any corruption cases against anyone in this country,” Justice N Anand Venkatesh remarked.
The observation came while hearing a contempt petition filed by NGO Arappor Iyakkam over the delay in completing proceedings against Velumani and three IAS officers. When counsel sought more time to clarify the delay, Justice Venkatesh said society had reached a point where people no longer get agitated by corruption. “Isn’t there a time limit for dealing with files against corruption?” he asked.
