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Justice SM Subramainam of Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government, particularly the Home Secretary and the DGP, to initiate steps to register criminal cases against police officials involved in collecting mamool (regular bribe).

The judge has noted that a public servant is expected to maintain utmost integrity and honesty while discharging public duties and responsibilities.

This was held in a case where a policeman filed proceedings before the court to quash the action taken against him for taking bribe.

Said policeman was punished in 2010 with reduction in timescale pay by three stages for three years. It has been alleged that he collected 50 mamool (bribe) twice a week from a bunkshop at Periyar Nagar in Chennai. Court thus held that the punishment was not disproportionate and dismissed the petition. 

It has been further held that there should be no room for corruption allegations in the conduct of public servants. Corruption is a devil and it works against development of the society, said the High Court.

The judge further remarked “It causes great injustice to the society at large, particularly to the poor and the downtrodden.” 

Justice Subramaniam was also of the view that a few higher officials were turning blind eye to this practice and that corrupt practices not only entailed demanding and accepting money but various other forms.

The single judge bench concluded by directing the State to register criminal case, where receipt of mamool is traced out as effective monitoring of these offences are imminent and warranted. 

Case Title: R.Kumaradoss vs. State of Tamil Nadu