India is one of the most corrupt countries in the world but why? Law and order are maintained by the police, the judiciary and by lawyers. If you visit any court in India you will find scores of lawyers in dirty black jackets sitting under trees and tin sheds on broken chairs or benches. No other profession practices in such surroundings and only two professions have touts standing outside trying to catch clients. One is the law profession and the other is prostitution. Is it any wonder that lawyers are hated and despised and regularly make news for rape, cheating and swindling. I cannot make any comment about the judiciary for fear of being in contempt but would like to point out that judges are recruited from lawyers and where in the world can yopu obtain 'anticipatory bail'. Imagine getting bail in anticipation of committing a crime. One of the collaborators in a Delhi murder obtained anticipatory bail from Manipur. As for the police they are a mafia in uniform. They are brutal, crooked and feared by the people. It suits the politicians and civil servants to have an ieffective police because they continue to loot with impunity. Unlike the pampered and increasingly corrupt defence forces the police are paid a pittance, are treated like servants by ministers and do not even have medical cover even though they risk their lives a lot more than the army in peace time. A police inspector cannot afford asthma inhalers for Rs. 280 so I do not know how to treat him. I am told by a friend that when the Southern Fat Lady phones the police chief stands up. That India still survives is a tribute to the sick police.