Madras High Court orders State to confiscate ill-gotten wealth of government employees

The Madras High Court recently directed the Tamil Nadu government to verify the assets of all State government employees, particularly police officials, and confiscate all “ill-gotten wealth,” of such officials..India is sinking deeper and deeper into corruption and it is not sparing even the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and judicial service, the Court observed while passing the direction. "Corruption in India has become deep-rooted and is galloping unchecked and unhindered. It is well known how our Great Nation appears to be sinking deeper and deeper in corruption. There is little doubt that corruption in present-day India pervades all levels and all services, not even sparing the IAS, IPS and judicial service," the Court noted.In an order passed on July 12, Justice SM Subramaniam also directed the State home secretary and the Director General of Police to verify the mandatory declaration given by police officials periodically across the State as mandated under Rule 9 of the Tamil Nadu Subordinate Police Officers Conduct Rules. The Court ordered the State authorities to verify the genuineness of such declarations, including assets purchased in the name of family members, relatives, and persons known to them. Rule 9 of the Conduct Rules requires every police officer to submit a return of his assets and liabilities within three months of first appointment and thereafter after an interval of 5 years..“The respondents one and two are directed to verify the mandatory declarations being given by the Police Officials periodically across the state of Tamil Nadu with reference to rule 9 of the Tamil Nadu Subordinate Police Officers Conduct Rules, 1964, and verify the genuinity of the declarations including all the assets purchased in the name of the family members, relatives and persons known to them. In the event of any discrepancies, contradictions or otherwise, all appropriate actions have to be initiated, including confiscation of illegally accumulated wealth through corrupt practices,” the Court said..The Court was hearing a plea filed by one M Rajendran, a government employee facing disciplinary action following allegations of accumulation of disproportionate wealth. During the hearing, the Court realised that Rajendran too had made some specific allegations of corruption and bribery against certain police officials in the State.This led the Court to remark that corrupt practices have become prevalent across all levels in the society.Advocates VS Manimekalai and VS Selvaraj appeared for the petitioner.Additional Advocate General P Kumaresan, Additional Government Pleader T Arun Kumar appeared for the respondent State government.Senior Counsel R Singaravelan was appointed the Amicus Curiae in the matter..[Read Order]