The ruling of the high court of Manipur nullifying the result of the 2012 state assembly election for seating MLA Prithviraj of Moirang AC for submitting fake affidavit comes as a huge psychological succour for the much misled and deceived public of the state. The verdict however, is just a precursor to the much anticipated saga of a privileged yet immature mind trying to impress everyone for no apparent reason, but then, that could just have been the problem- that he does lack the mental faculty to understand that he does not need to impress anyone with his embellished credentials. What must definitely follow in this sordid case will surely be remembered for its folly for according to the criteria laid down by the Election Commission of India, there is no minimum educational qualification for contesting the state legislative assembly election even though certain other criteria are still to be fulfilled.
As expected, the court ruling raised more serious concerns as well as questions which will have a direct impact on the next state assembly election which is just around the corner, and therefore has to be answered with increased immediacy. Since the submission or supply of fake documents is an offence committed deliberately and knowingly, the act must compulsorily attract punitive action, and the public is eagerly awaiting the verdict of the court in this regard with a feeling of anticipation tinged with cynicism. More importantly, the discredited people’s representative have managed to make a mockery of the people and the system while enjoying the perks and facilities that comes with his elected position, including the emoluments till then. What will be done in this regard, or what are the steps the authorities will be taking up is one issue which will be keenly followed by the public, not only because this case serves as a classic example of willful deceit and deliberate fraud of the system which has taken more than two years to bring the truth out and the legal verdict of such act, but also because the inexplicable delay in justice is viewed as a lacuna in the legal system which presents a real and present danger for other prospective fraudsters desperate enough for fame or fortune- or both, to try their luck. While the final step regarding the case rests with the legal and other concern authorities, it must always be kept in mind that the ultimate power in a society rests with the general public which certain politicians and public figures are either deceiving or scheming to, and any sense of protracted injustice or deliberate miscarriage of justice will only succeed in fomenting trouble and unrest. “Open-and-shut” cases where the allegations could have been obtained in a couple of days should be dispensed of at the earlier, especially for cases that insult the collective intelligence of the affable public who are no longer naïve onlookers.
