An unusual plea to the High Court has become a hot topic of debate these days. A PIL has been registered by a group of people in the HC seeking exemption from corruption charges.

Mr. I M Rambharose, the founder of the society ‘Justice be done’, a group of small-time conmen, tax evaders, fraudsters etc. (generally known as money-launderers in the society), has spear-headed this campaign. Their agenda: to relieve small tax evaders, fraudsters from being indicted, and to appeal the government to pass a law which exempts money laundering of up to five crore rupees from criminal charging.

Mr. Rambharose stated to the media, “Look at the numerous scams toppling out of the government itself every other week. Scams worth amounts no one in the history of this country ever heard of. What is a mere fraud worth one or two crores compared to these amounts? We, therefore, seek relief from the HC and appeal that cases made against us be shut down, taking into account the futility of it all.”

Explaining the mental plight of its members, the secretary of the society, Mr. Hoshiyar S, said, “Why trouble small fries like us when the entire sea is polluted? With CWG, Radia Gate, Adarsh scandal rocking our nation, we hated the guts of Kalmadi, Chavan & Co., and felt sorry for ourselves at having been charged for petty thefts and frauds. But with the details of 2G Spectrum coming out in open, we felt that enough was enough. 1,70,000 crore rupees? We poor people don’t even know how many zeroes that amount contains! Though frankly, we hold Mr. A Raja in high regard for venturing where no one has dared to and taking corruption to a new height – errr depth!”

The society has decided to spread their campaign to every part of the country – just like corruption. They want more and more corrupt people to join their cause and pressurize the government into amending the laws related to financial irregularities. Rambharose makes a valid point here, “No use holding on to tails when the whole elephants pass off through the loops. When there is no stigma in our society for corruption, and mainly the corrupted, why not make it legal? Making corruption of up to 5 crore rupees legal and acceptable will only save the police, courts, Enforcement Directorate etc the trouble of indicting, questioning, jailing petty thieves, and will also save us and our families from a lot of mental trauma.”

Though some social activists, social psychologists, social analysts (in short, the up-keepers of every social virtue) have expressed shock and disbelief over such a demand, it hasn’t dampened the spirit of the members of the society. Says a member, “If these social activists have a better solution to our woes, let them put it forth to the court. What we have suggested is very practical, time-saving and efficient for our society.”

If entertained, the PIL might open a new chapter in the history of law and order of our country.