Date:09/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/09/stories/2006120908301001.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Welcome ruling

The Supreme Court ruling that no prior sanction is needed from the competent authority to prosecute a corrupt public servant, including present and former Ministers, is welcome. Criminalisation of politics can have a devastating effect on democracy.

It is ironical that the legislature and the executive that enact and implement laws and evolve policies for development themselves act as a stumbling block to the development of the nation.

Bijay Shankar Patel,
Dhenkanal, Orissa

The Supreme Court has struck a decisive blow for decriminalising politics and eliminating corruption. The verdict reflects the growing impatience of the silent majority with the criminal-politician-police nexus. It has offered a golden opportunity to the executive to cleanse the political system.

V.N. Mukundarajan,
Kota, Rajasthan

The judiciary has done yeoman service to the people by dispensing with the prior sanction requirement. The convicting and sentencing of Shibu Soren and Navjot Singh Sidhu have proved that Indian democracy is breathing with the help of judicial oxygen.

K. Ramachandran,
Usilampatti, T.N.

The removal of the prior sanction condition will open the floodgates for unnecessary and vexatious prosecution even against honest public servants. The judiciary should instead prescribe a time limit for granting or declining sanction.

The sanctioning mechanism is also intended to avoid cases that can be dealt with at the department level being taken to courts. The judgment needs review and Parliament is duty bound to come to the rescue of honest citizens.

R.M. Murty,
Chennai