SC: Corrupt leaders & officials bigger threats than assassins
The Supreme Court slammed corruption in public life, calling it a greater threat than hired assassins. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan made the remark while rejecting anticipatory bail for Punjab audit inspector Devinder Kumar Bansal, accused of bribery.
The court condemned corruption’s deep roots, stating it blocks societal progress and fuels economic unrest. Citing Edmund Burke, the court warned that corruption erodes liberty. The judgment stressed that anticipatory bail in corruption cases should be rare, granted only in clear cases of false accusations or political motives.
The court emphasized that prioritizing an accused’s liberty should not undermine justice. It ruled that public servants using middlemen for bribes still face punishment under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Bansal allegedly demanded bribes for auditing village development works. The Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, registered an FIR in January under corruption laws. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier denied him bail, leading him to approach the Supreme Court.
