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In an interesting observation, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay high court has said that citizens should not pay taxes if the government fails to curb corruption.
The bench observed that citizens should raise voice against the menace of corruption and refuse to pay taxes by launching a non-cooperation movement.
Justice Arun Chaudhari made the comments while hearing a case concerning embezzlement of funds worth Rs 385 crore in Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Vikas Mahamandal, an organisation that works for the Matang community which falls under the scheduled caste.
“The taxpayers are in deep anguish. Let the government as well as mandarins in corridors of power understand their excruciating pain and anguish. They have been suffering for over two decades in the state. There is an onerous responsibility on those who govern to prove to taxpayers that eradication of corruption would not turn out to be a forlorn hope for them,” Justice Chaudhari was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
The judge termed corruption as a “hydra-headed monster” and said it is high time citizens came together against it. “The miasma (unholy atmosphere) of corruption can be beaten if all work together. If it continues, taxpayers’ should refuse to pay taxes through a non-cooperation movement,” the judge added.
This comes just days after India continued to be at the 76th spot in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index for 2015. India’s position was same in 2014 as well.