The Big Bangaru Theory and its Takeaways

By Awanish Shahi:

Once upon a time there were our netas and babus who believed that crime pays; so did our judicial system and we too believed and sat on fence. But session court in Delhi, mitigating this myth, convicted Bangaru Laxman in an 11-year-old bribe case changing the saying “crime pays” to “crime does not pay”. Imposing a fine of rupees 1 Lakh and a rigorous imprisonment for a term of four years, former BJP president was sent to jail number 4, ward 15 of Tihar. Ironically the same ward once housed Suresh Kalmadi, chief of Common Wealth Organizing Committee. The court in its judgment said it is time to shun the “sab chalta hai” attitude and that the courts should deal strictly with persons found guilty of corruption.

The leniency of our judicial system especially in conviction cases of our netas and their clique was a habit which democracy like India was nurturing since long but Bangaru case has led the new beginning of change in this impasse situation. Can this landmark judgment be taken as the starting of a cleansing process? If it does than our insecticide selling companies need to do and formulate a new efficacious spray keeping in mind the high tolerance rates of these ‘pests’. Jokes a part, slowly but steadily the revamp of our judicial system has started. We read, watch, listen and take for granted a politico convicted as we as Indians can foresee the aftermath of this plot. This gives a week-long engagement to our yawning politicians to play their blame game, super spicy news to our media to bitch in spite of prolific discussion and live coverage where we can see a battery of photographers jostling to reach the convicted cum celebrated politicians dragged delicately by our police. All series of events look premeditated and the convict walks the carpet to jail as it’s a stay-cation from their round- the tenure of tedious engagement with ‘good works’.

I think it’s high time to sit and contemplate. Though it can be seen as a start of cleansing process of the entire system but our judicial system has to take politicians conviction as a different ball game. It has fast track courts and if we settle for an ultra-fast track court for our respected politicians held in various cases, it will bring a storm in the country and fresh hope for common man. Whether an MP, an MLA or people at other levels in government, ultra-fast track courts will deal with all without any discrimination on the basis of designations held. Rapid investigation and short duration of trail can lead to their acquittal or conviction. In circumstances like lingering or influencing the justice or the trail, it will lead to final conviction of the accused leaving no scope for convict to participate in any activity leading to impunity. India is slowly ascending to the peak of a volcano of phenomenal change. This kind of plucky moves can be as a sign of democratic breakthroughs for which almost every Indian is yearning and a roadmap for cleaner Lok Sabha in 2014.