NEW DELHI: Maintaining that corruption breeds inequality, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Thursday said the poor, women and disadvantaged groups were the worst hit by the menace.
“Empirical studies show that the poor pay the highest percentage of their income in bribes. They are often preyed upon because they lack the power to complain, unlike their richer and powerful counterparts. Equally, other disadvantaged groups are left worse off by corruption,” the CJI said.
Addressing a Lokpal Day function here, Justice Khanna said, “World Bank reports show that women, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden as they rely heavily on public services, which are afflicted by corruption.”
“Similarly, other marginalised groups like disadvantaged castes are severely impacted as they depend on public services more than their privileged counterparts,” the CJI said.