SRINAGAR Rigid bureaucracy, complex laws and long drawn processes of the legal system deters people from taking legal recourse against corrupt public servants, a court said on Monday as it convicted and sentenced former deputy Commissioner Kupwara under provisions of prevention of Corruption Act and for criminal breach of trust by a government employee in case registered against him in 2004.
Corruption is indeed one of the major roadblocks in the nations journey from a developing to a developed economy. There is an urgent need to have a comprehensive framework that would help curtail corruption. Rigid bureaucracy, complex laws and long drawn processes of the legal system deters people from taking legal recourse against corrupt public servants, said the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, R N Wattal while convicting and sentencing the former deputy commissioner Kupwara Shah Latief.
He has been sentenced to one year imprisonment and fine of Rs.2 lakh under Section 5(1)(C) P.C. Act.
In default thereof, he will further undergo 6 months imprisonment.
Under section 409 RPC, the court also sentenced him to one year imprisonment and Rs.2 lakhs of fine. In default of payment thereof he will further undergo 6 months imprisonment u/s 409 RPC, the court said. Both sentences shall run concurrently, the court said.
The sentences of Simple imprisonment shall run concurrently. The sentences of Simple Imprisonment in default of payment of fine shall run consecutively.
Since Shah was on bail, he was taken into custody and forwarded to Superintendent Central Jail Srinagar along with a warrant for the execution of sentence.
Corruption needs to be eradicated from the nation. Task is arduous but not unachievable. To achieve that, one has to rise above his vainglorious interest and to raise his moral standards. Public persons need to resist to consequences of his criminal acts, the court said, adding, Good ethical behavior on part of those who are in power is the hallmark of good administration and people in public life specially in administration must perform their duties in spirit of public service rather than by assuming power to indulge in callous cupidity regardless of self imposed discipline.
The accused, the court observed, has completely disregarded the ethics and criminal breach of trust and criminal misconduct were committed by the convict, a public servant, with cool calculation and deliberate design with an eye on personal profit regardless of the consequence to the Government Exchequer and/or Community. Also, disregard for the interests of the Government Exchequer and/or Community was manifest in the acts of convict, who was also unmindful of the damage done to the society and nation. Convict gave supremacy to illegal personal gains putting the Government Exchequer at loss to the tune of Rs 178,702, the court said, adding, No glimpse of remorse was visible on the face of the Convict. Over all entire nation is suffering on account of misdeeds of such offenders who put government Exchequer to such loss compromising with the economy of the nation. The entire community is aggrieved if the economic offenders who ruin the economy of the State are not brought to book and suitably punished.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
