In an interesting observation, 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.
The court’s scathing remarks came during a hearing on case of embezzlement of an amount of Rs. 385 crore by an organisation meant to work for the upliftment of a scheduled caste community in Maharashtra.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court hit out at the Maharashtra government as well as the Bank of Maharashtra for failing to check corruption in the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Vikas Mahamandal that was set up to distribute funds to the Matang community in the state.
During the hearing of the case, Justice Arun Chaudhari said, “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.”
Stating that the government should understand the excruciating pain and anguish of the taxpayers, the judge observed that tax payers have been suffering for over two decades in the state and that corruption in government-run financial organizations had become rampant.
Justice Chaudhari appealed to the people to come together against “hydra-headed monster”, i.e. corruption and tells the government that they have had enough of this corruption. He also appealed to the people that if the situation does not improve, they should stop paying their taxes in order to teach the government a lesson.
“The taxpayers are in deep anguish. Let the government as well as mandarins in corridors of power understand their excruciating pain and anguish,” the Bombay High Court bench said.
“Does the taxpayers pay the money to the government for such kind of acrobatics being played? Ethics and morals have taken a back seat in modern India’s scheme of things,” the judge added.
The court was very strict against while passing the strictures and rejected the anticipatory bail application of LASVM’s district manager in Bhandara — Pralhad Pawar. He was accused of inappropriately issuing funds of Rs. 24 crore meant for distribution to poor members of the Matang community — falling under the scheduled caste category. These members earn a livelihood by playing the trumpet and bugle.
