State Of Kerala vs Simon K.Francis

 The whole history of the case, without doubt, is a standing testimony of the enormous clout the 4th respondent has in the higher echelons of power, regardless of political colour of the Government. The 4th respondent, who eminently deserves suspension for the grave offences he is charged with in two criminal cases, the second one committed after the revocation of the suspension pursuant to the first criminal case, had not only been not suspended, but was rewarded with a promotion, even contravening the Rules applicable. A Government which claims to have declared war against corruption in the services of the State,  W.A. Nos. 181, 211 and 1436 of 2010 and W.P.(C) Nos. 11235 & 20211 of 2010 vehemently defends a person who is accused of corruption, that too, a person who has been allegedly caught red handed accepting bribe and who has, unmindful of the first case pending against him, had got himself involved in another more serious case of corruption. Government's stand in defending him in this case would put doubt into the minds of the public regarding the sincerity of the Government about their professed commitment to fight corruption, which is presently the cancer eating into the body of our democracy. If their professed fight against corruption is not mere lip service to pull the wool over the eyes of the public, the Government would do well to cancel the promotion of the 4th respondent and place him under suspension, like any well-meaning Government, who have their priorities right.