Allahabad HC Judge Calls Ram Temple Donation Theft Unacceptable, Suggests Death Penalty for Corruption
Justice Atul Sreedharan of the Allahabad High Court has made strong observations regarding the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, stating that those unfazed by the incident are beyond shame. The judge also proposed amending the Prevention of Corruption Act to include the death penalty for convicted offenders.
In a 51-page opinion forming part of a split verdict on the issue of 'bulldozer justice', Justice Sreedharan criticised systemic corruption in Indian institutions. He remarked that the donation theft represents what he called a low point for integrity in the country, adding that many Indians have normalised corruption and no longer view it as wrong unless caught.
The judge referred to India's rank of 91 among 182 countries in the Transparency International 2025 corruption perceptions index, noting that even this does not seem to cause public outrage. He urged the state to consider extreme measures if it genuinely wants to curb corruption.
Justice Sreedharan also addressed the practice of demolishing houses of accused persons under municipal code violations, which he described as a response to a perceived public demand for harsh action. He noted that such demolitions often occur despite Supreme Court judgments prohibiting them, and that state authorities sometimes turn a blind eye to unauthorised constructions due to political or bureaucratic support.
The judge pointed out that dishonest officials facilitate the creation of illegal structures by taking bribes, leaving the eventual buyers to suffer enforcement actions years later. He called the state an accomplice in such cases for providing basic amenities like water and electricity to these buildings.
Warning that widespread corruption could lead to a concentration of wealth and widen inequality, Justice Sreedharan said this could set the stage for civil unrest. He urged the Uttar Pradesh government to take legislative action if it is serious about cleaning up the system, including considering the death penalty for corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The observations came in a split verdict on a petition challenging demolitions of properties belonging to individuals accused of crimes. The case continues to be of public interest as it touches upon both corruption and the executive's use of bulldozer actions.
