Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Hanging the corrupt

This refers to the Supreme Court's observation that the only way to rid the country of corruption is to hang a few corrupt people on the lamppost (March 8) and that it would prefer to do so though the law does not permit it. I agree with the Court. Unless deterrent action is taken, corruption cannot be eliminated. Since the law does not permit execution, punishment such as confiscation of property and rigorous imprisonment can be imposed on those proved guilty.

S. Jagannathan,
Secunderabad

* * *

We have been reading and talking about the evils of corruption for years. But the corrupt culture has only increased. Today, corruption is accepted as part of life. In this context, the Supreme Court's suggestion that the only way to rid the country of corruption is to hang a few is interesting. Besides the fact that the law does not permit it, we have other problems. We do not have enough lampposts to hang the crores of offenders in every walk of life every day. The court has truly reflected the sentiments of the people affected by corruption. The least the common man can expect is the disposal of pending corruption cases within a short time.

T.S. Gopalakrishnan,
Chennai

* * *

Justice Markandeya Katju was right in saying corruption is all-pervasive and the only solution for this menace is to hang some people in public so that the punishment will act as a deterrent. India has become totally corrupt from top to bottom — from the political bosses to the lowest level employee.

T. Radhakrishna,
Hyderabad

* * *

If the punishment becomes a reality, most of our politicians and bureaucrats will be eliminated. Thanks for publishing this wonderful piece of news.

B. Theertheswaran,
Bangalore

* * *

Our country will face an acute shortage of politicians and bureaucrats if the court's wish materialises.

Rakesh Vats,
Beijing

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The judges should tell us whether they want both parties to corruption to be strung up. Do we have the lampposts and ladders in the numbers required?

There may not be many policemen left on the streets but then there won't be much traffic either, as a lot of drivers would be adorning the lampposts. Courts, railway stations, licence offices would all be thinly peopled, almost like an exclusive shop with an occasional customer. Power shortages will become a thing of the past as thieves will be otherwise engaged on the ends of the ropes. Forests and quarries will remain pristine and rivers will flow unpolluted by factory effluents. One wonders whether the judges have thought of the dramatic outcomes of their outburst. I should urge caution.

K. Kitchlu,
Mysore

* * *

It was shocking to read what the Supreme Court bench said. It has held the accused guilty even as the trial is on. Every concerned citizen agrees that corruption has assumed gigantic proportions and needs to be tackled. But is hanging the guilty a solution? Isn't the highest court of the land becoming hyperactive?

Sanjay Dey,
New Delhi

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