Need to protect the honest, men of integrity: HC
ALLAHABAD: “Honesty has virtually become an endangered species. We need immediate steps to evolve a scheme (as is being practiced in respect of rare animals) to protect the honest and impartial men of integrity.
The disease of corruption is spreading like anything and treatment requires a traumatic attempt,” observed Allahabad high court while handing a case related to rampant corruption in development authorities of Uttar Pradesh.
Noting that corruption is prevalent in various public offices, the bench of justice Sudhir Agarwal and justice Ajit Kumar observed, “People involved in corruption are now part of everyday life and it has engulfed society in a very big way. Today, finding an honest person is a rarity. Dishonesty and corruption are a routine affair.”
The bench was hearing a petition by Meerut’s Narendra Kumar Tyagi challenging an allotment of plot to one Anuj through fraudulent ways.
“When auction formalities for the plot were initiated on July 23, 2014, the petitioner (Tyagi) was the only and highest bidder by way of tender. However, when he requested authorities to issue the allotment letter but he was directed to wait for some time,” said petitioner’s counsel Pradeep Singh Sisodia.
“When he inquired about 10 days, he was told that Anuj has been allotted the plot since his bid was higher.
This when neither he was present nor participated in the auction,” Sisodia told court.
The bench, which quashed the allotment of plot, observed, “Records related to allotment of plot makes it clear that entire process adopted by officer of Meerut Development Authority in the present case is nothing but a farce and full of manipulations, fraud and misrepresentation.”
The bench observed, “True that number of honest persons is decreasing, still we believe that society has ample honest people. Need is only to identify and encourage them so that their number may get increased.
For this purpose, what is needed more is a simultaneous deterrent action against corrupt and dishonest people by finding them out and punish sternly.”
“Failure of system in meeting menace of corruption and dishonesty is encouraging these corrupt people, multiplying their cadre.
It is causing reverse impact on honesty and integrity. We boast lot in favour of removal of corruption but do least. In fact, no serious attempt is vigilant so as to give even a ray of hope to ordinary citizens,” said the bench.
The court directed Principal Secretary, Nagar Vikas, UP to forthwith refer the matter for Vigilance Inquiry against all officials involved.
The court directed that the Vigilance Department must complete investigation and submit report for action within three months.