An Erring Balance

Indian judiciary doesn't fail to surprise public with their decade long trials, delayed judgements, and leniency in their judgements especially for the rich and powerful. Often landmark sentences delivered in high profile cases fail to discourage future citizens from committing crimes and instill faith in our judicial system. And last week brutal reminder of the failing Indian judiciary. #aboutqualityandnotquantity

Jayalalitha was finally sentenced last September after 18 years on the disproportionate asset case, but she was let out on bail 25 days later. Ramalinga Raju and other accomplices were put behind bars for 35 months before being convicted for confessing an economic offense in 2009, but was let out of bail last week. And Bollywood box-office King Salman Khan was convicted for a hit and run case from 13 years ago and he was granted bail before the judicial ink dried on his judgement papers. And Sahara India chief continues to languish in the jail over a year, while his coterie struggles to find buyers to sell-off his assets and repay investors. #richandpowerfulbuyjudiciary

The stories of India's rich and famous doesn't end here. There are many more criminals out on bail, in both houses of the Parliament and out on the lose to commit more heinous crimes. Lalu Prasad - fodder scam, Raja and gang - 2G spectrum, Sheila Dikshit - Common Wealth Games are a few to name. I often find the the crime committed by rich and powerful is directly proportional to term of trial and inversely proportional sentence delivered. In simple terms, Indian judiciary is a puppet in the hands of the ruling Government and delivers disproportionate justice based on the political need. #outonthelose

This is not the first time such a leniency has been shown in exchange for political favors, but these three judgements in the same week has surprised and shocked the Indian public and casted a shadow over the efficiency and impartial judgements rendered by the Indian judiciary. But, why are the rich, popular and powerful criminals treated with kid gloves? #alwaysabovethelaw

Our epics (Mahabaratha and Ramayana) and history share numerous examples of how our kings have played the role of judiciary and at times played above judiciary. The story of Kannagi reminds how the judiciary faulted while convicting Kovalan and why the city of Madurai faced the ire of his wife. And the story of a Chola king (Manu) who drove a chariot over his son as a punishment for running over a calf shows how the rich and powerful protected dharma and justice. #pansofthelabalance

Will the judiciary ever read our epics and deliver judgements that will stand as examples for future citizens, politicians and judiciary? And when will our political class reform? Or is it asking for a heaven on earth?