CONSEQUENCES OF CORRUPTION

6. CONSEQUENCES OF CORRUPTION

In the final analysis, corruption is as much a moral as a development
issue. It can distort entire decision- making processes on investment projects and
other commercial transactions, and the very social and political fabric of
societies. The Supreme Court of India in a recent judgement gave its comments
on the far reaching effects of corruption, and these comments deserve to be
mentioned in some detail. The apex court observed that, " Corruption in a
civilised society is like cancer, which if not detected in time is sure to malignise
the polity of the country leading to disastrous consequences. It is termed as a
plague which is not only contagious but if not controlled spreads like a fire in a
jungle. Its virus is compared with HIV leading to AIDS, being incurable. It has
also been termed as royal thievery. The socio-political system exposed to such a
dreaded communicable disease is likely to crumble under its own weight.
Corruption is opposed to democracy and social order, being not only anti-people,
but also aimed and targeted at them. It affects the economy and destroys the
cultural heritage. Unless nipped in the bud at the earliest, it is likely to cause
turbulence shaking of the socio-economic political system in an otherwise
healthy, wealthy, effective and vibrating society" (AIR 2000, SC 870).