Allahabad High Court Judge Slams Corruption, Suggests Death Penalty for Graft
In a strongly worded opinion, Justice Atul Sreedharan of the Allahabad High Court has criticised the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, calling it the 'nadir of Indians' integrity'. The judge also suggested that the government consider amending the Prevention of Corruption Act to include the death penalty for convicted offenders.
Justice Sreedharan made these observations in a 51-page judgment addressing the practice of 'bulldozer justice'—the demolition of houses belonging to accused persons under the guise of municipal code violations. He remarked that such demolitions often serve to satisfy the 'perceived blood lust' of a society accustomed to extra-legal measures.
The judge noted that despite Supreme Court rulings against such actions, demolitions continue with impunity, as if the highest court's directives do not exist. He accused authorities of deliberate negligence, stating that unauthorised structures arise due to collusion between builders and corrupt officials, who then leave buyers to face sudden eviction.
Justice Sreedharan labelled the state as an 'accomplice' for providing essential services like water and electricity to illegal buildings. He warned that rampant corruption would lead to a concentration of wealth among a few, widening inequality and potentially sparking civil unrest.
On the issue of corruption, the judge observed that the average Indian has normalised graft and only considers it wrong when caught. He pointed to India's rank of 91 out of 182 in Transparency International's 2025 report as evidence that the nation remains unshamed by its integrity deficit.
Justice Sreedharan urged the government to take extreme legislative measures if it genuinely wishes to clean up the system, including introducing the death penalty for corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
