CHANDIGARH: The special
CBI court on Friday referred to noted
Hindi author Munshi Premchand’s story “Namak Ka Daroga” while sentencing former SP Deshraj Singh to three years in jail for taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh.
Judge Gagan Geet Kaur cited how the story written in the 20th century is still relevant in the 21st century “when corruption has become a dreaded disease like cancer and time demands strong character among police officers.”
The judgment said public servant (Munshi Vanshidhar) in Premchand’s story sets an example of honesty. “Munshi Vanshidhar does not accept bribe offered by an influential person.
The bribe was offered to him for not performing his legal duty to stop smuggling of salt, but he refused,” the judge said. “Society expects and wants honest and dedicated police officials like Munshi Vanshidhar. The relevancy and importance of this story can be seen from the fact that it is a part of school syllabus even today for character-building,” the judgment said.
The judge further stated, “This case is unique as the complainant himself was a public servant and allegations levelled by him were against his own senior officer. Interestingly, the inquiry was initiated on recommendation of the convict. This case raised the curtain and shows the manner how cancer of corruption spreads in the system.”
Representative image 
