Commentary
Time to expose corrupt judges and tout lawyers
By
Sun, 27 May 2007, 14:23:00

The drive against all forms of corruption has created an aura of optimism in the society about the future turn of events in the political life of the country. Yet some cult lawyers who allegedly promote corruption and try to influence a section of judges have so far not been exposed. Such lawyers manage to hide their corrupt activities by associating themselves with organisations like the Transparency International, knowledgeable circles allege. Now that the present military-backed caretaker government is pursuing the much-publicised war against corruption, possibly this is the best opportunity also to bring corrupt lawyers to justice.

Senior members of the legal profession complain that their noble services have of late been bedeviled not only by too much politicisation of the bar associations, but also limitless corruption by a section of bar members. Such elements again most often avail chance of imposing their partisan views on bar decisions. So far corruption of politicians and a section of judges have been exposed but corruption by a section of lawyers has remained untouched. Such lawyers in practice do not fight law points to advocate the causes of their clients, instead they act as agents of corruption in the judiciary. Those who have little concern for professional integrity and ethics also fail to uphold the dignity and honour of the judiciary. They are found to violently protest even against court verdicts although there are legal paths of fighting against verdicts if someone is aggrieved.

The lower judiciary has been infested so much with a section of lawyers whose only work is to help send people to jail or help secure bail for others by applying whatever unjust means they can muster to achieve those just for fat income. Recent newspaper reports indicate that some lawyers who have established their clout to the cult level, pay little heed to maintaining the legality of their actions within or outside courts. Some such names are associated even with money laundering. If there is a need to cleanse the judiciary from mischief of such blacksheep the best time is now to bring them to justice and restore the integrity of the great profession. Such tout lawyers work as agents for corrupt judges.


© Copyright 2003 by ittefaq.com