Bombay High Court: Hearing an anticipatory bail application, a bench comprising of AB Chaudhary, J observed that to eradicate the cancer of corruption, taxpayers may resort to refuse to pay taxes by ‘non -cooperation movement’. The Court made these observations in a case relating to misappropriation and embezzlement of Rs. 385 crore meant for uplift of the ‘‘Matang’ community.
Terming corruption a ‘hydra headed monster’, the Court remarked that it is high time the citizens come together to tell their Governments that they have had enough. The Court asked how this huge amount of Rs. 385 crore will come back and further observed that for the last two decades, corruption has become the order of the day and sordid state of affairs; whereas the taxpayers’ are merely looking at this grim situation. The Court asked whether the taxpayers pay the money to the Government for such kind of acrobatics being played.
The single bench further opined that was surprising that the Unions of Central or State Government employees, whether politically affiliated or otherwise, make demonstrations for demanding the application of VII Pay Commission, but they do not condemn, outcast or demonstrate against their counterpart bureaucracy indulging in corruption. On the contrary, they provide support. The Court finally dismissed the anticipatory bail application of the applicant. [Pralhad vs. State of Maharashtra, 2016 SCC OnLine Bom 115, decided on 27-01-2016]
