PUBLIC JUSTICE FORUM

R. 2,630 Crore bribes paid to lower judiciary: Transparency International Report

Delays and corruption lead to cynicism

Although provisions for the independence and accountability of the judiciary exist in India’s Constitution, corruption is increasingly apparent. Two decisions provide evidence for this. One, a Supreme Court decision in the 2002 Gujarat Communal riots exposed the system’s failure to prevent miscarriage of justice by acquitting persons close to the party in power.

The second involved the acquittal in 2006 of nine people allegedly involved in the murder in 1999 of a young woman, Jessica Lal, even though the incident took place in the presence of a number of witnesses. One of the accused was the son of a politician.”

The report says, “Corruption has two manifestations: one is the corruption of judicial officers and the other is corruption in the broader justice system. In India, the upper judiciary is relatively clean, though there are obviously exceptions.

In the broader justice institutions, corruption is systemic. There is a high level of discretion in the processing of paper work during a trial and multiple points when court clerks, prosecutor and police investigators can misuse their power without discovery”.

The estimated amount paid in bribes in the 12-month period (in 2006) is around Rs. 2,630 Crore. Money was paid to the officials in the following proportions: 61 per cent to lawyers: 29 per cent to court officials: 5 per cent to judges; and 5 per cent to middlemen. The primary causes of corruption are delays in the disposal of cases, shortage of judges and complex procedures, all of which are exacerbated by a preponderance of new laws.”

The degree of delays and corruption has led to cynicism about the justice system. This erosion of confidence has deleterious consequenes that neutralize the deterrent impact of law. People seek shortcuts through bribery, favours, hospitality or gifts, leading to further unlawful behaviour, says the report.- HINDU 26TH MAY, 2007

► Public justice Forum (PJF) is a voluntary non-profit agency whose objective is to help the victims in getting proper justice by creating strong voice of the public.

► If you feel that you have been victim, cheated and need some one who can listen to your complaints and if necessary fight on your behalf.

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R. 2,630 Crore bribes paid to lower judiciary: Transparency International Report

***A Helping Hand Can Change The World ***

This website is dedicated
To

ASHISH VIRMANI

Victim of tragedy at BITS, Pilani,India

After over 60 years of independence and a vibrant democracy still there are large no of citizens who are deprived of the faster and fare justice.

The Public Justice Forum is created with a view to create public opinion in favour of faster and fare justice and fare deal to the consumer and public at a large, especially those who may be the victim of various bodies who are supposed to render justice to the public. Any member of the public who are victims of such bodies could approach Public Justice Forum who will take up their cause and create public pressure.

Ashish Memorial Trust ( A Non Profit Organisation) is created in the memory of Ashish Virmani who himself was a victim of injustice lost his life while student at BITS, PILANI. The member of the Forum comprise of eminent personalities belonging to different segments of public and have zeal to serve the public.

The Founder Managing Trustee of the trust is Prof. B.R.Virmani, who was earlier Dean of Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad and is currently chairman of Centre for Organisation Research and Development in Management(CORD-M).

Any of the members of the public who feel that they are the victims of oppression/ injustice can approach by giving detail of the case. They can fill in the format : Click here