Former chief justice Sushila Karki said on Tuesday that the tendency of discouraging honest and sincere people, even in institutions like court, has promoted corruption in different layers of the society.

Karki, who had faced impeachment motion that was later revoked, revealed that judges who succeed in wooing ‘power brokers’ have better future prospect.

“One cannot say that he or she wishes to work honestly, serve the nation and remain corruption-free. What kind of nation is this?” Karki questioned. She added that literate people who choose to stay mum in serious corruption related issues looking at individual benefits are to be blamed for the promotion of corruption in the country.

Addressing the launching ceremony of ‘Rajgaj’, a book penned by News Editor of Kantipur daily Hari Bahadur Thapa, Karki urged the youngsters to strongly resist corruption. “The country won’t progress this way. Youths will have to act,” Karki said.

Commenting briefly about the book, she said, “This book will be a history for the upcoming generation.”   

Rajgaj, which dwells on corruption within political parties, palace, court and the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, was jointly unveiled by Karki, member of the National Human Rights Commission Prakash Osti, Chairman of the Parliament Regulation Drafting Committee Radheshyam Adhikari and Editor-in-Chief of Kantipur daily Sudheer Sharma.  

“This book will be reference for anyone willing to know about corruption in the country. The best part about this book is that it has been supported by facts and hence is archive worthy,” Adhikari said, adding that Thapa has rightly pointed at the strength, weakness and conflict of interest among major state agencies without displaying political bias.

According to Osti, the writer has cited as many as 28 books and 13 reports making it credible. “Portion of some of the confidential reports too have been incorporated,” Osti said encouraging Thapa to continue pointing at issues as well as possible solutions.

Kantipur Editor-in-Chief Sharma said the tendency of establishing political unanimity in cases related with irregularities, corruption and major appointment among others and disagreement in others issues has played instrumental role in promoting corruption. “The book has clearly pointed out at such issues. It has covered the entire state agencies and issues within them,” Sharma said.

Published by Fine Print Publications, the 354-page book was an outcome of a rigorous research that lasted five years, according to Thapa.

“I have tried to expose characters involved in meddling and promoting corruption,” said Thapa.

The book covers the growing tendency of overlooking corruption-related issues among the political parties and role of increasing investment in sectors like education, health, banking and infrastructure development, among others, fostering corruption.