Yet another bribe!

Senior Congress leader from Kerala, K Sudhakaran, has alleged that in 1994, a Supreme Court judge had pocketed Rs 36 lakh to lift a Kerala High Court ban on 21 bar licences in the state. Sudhakaran, who represents Kannur in the Lok Sabha, said though he did not have any proof to back his allegation, he was ready to disclose the name of the judge and other details in a court if asked to do so. (Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kerala-bar-owners-bribed-sc-judge-to-retain-licences-mp/749759/.)

Justice Ratnavel Pandian, a former acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court who retired as a Supreme Court justice 17 years ago, denied all charges terming them:

“baseless and mischievous”.  “I am terribly shocked and surprised to see the news coming from an honourable MP. I strongly and firmly deny this allegation as baseless, mischievous and false. I am thinking of taking legal action in the appropriate forum, both criminal and civil.  But before that I would like to see the copy of the judgement and the full text of the MP’s speech. Eighteen years after demitting office as an SC judge, I don’t remember the case and the kind of judgement I rendered,” (Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/former-sc-judge-denies-cong-mps-bribe-charge/1/130153.html)

Whether judge can be prosecuted or not but the person brokering the deal can be prosecuted as abettor. Delay of 18 years could be condoned. But nothing will happen because the truth does not matter any more. If it came out that Judge was indeed bribed, it will affect the credibility of institution.

Hence nothing will be done. Corruption is the real cement which is keeping every institution together.