Madras High Court has sought the Centre government’s viewpoint on awarding the death penalty for corruption practices, including taking bribes. The court has asked the government to consider making amendments in the law to impose rigorous punishment to keep a check on corruption.
The bench comprising Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice B. Pugalendhi made the suggestion while stating that the public is being compelled to accept corruption as normal.
“The central government may consider imposing punishment such as ‘hanging’ or ‘death penalty’ for corrupt practices or for demanding and accepting bribes like in China, North Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and Morocco,” said the Madurai bench of Madras HC.
The bench had made the Union home minister, the Union law minister, and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the parties, to know their view on awarding death sentence for corruption charges.
High Court bench referred that the Prevention of Corruption Act is a central legislation, and only the Centre can induce amendments.
The court further stated, “People are compelled to accept corruption as normal one. Corruption has become deep-rooted and has spread like cancer. Every day, it is reported in the media that many officials are caught red-handed while taking bribes. Hence, the punishment needs to be enhanced.”
