When Infosys cofounder Narayana Murthy paid Rs 48 lakh as lawyers fee in National Anthem case

Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy on Friday said the court should not entertain cases filed by rabble-rousers and recommended to increase the strength of judiciary by appointing judges to reduce pending cases.

Murthy, addressing the third V.R. Venkatakrishnan Memorial Lecture on the topic, "The Indian Judicial System -- Musings of a lay person", said: "As a nation we are unduly sensitive of our patriotism."

"In India, it is perfectly okay to be corrupt or to be dishonest...that is nothing that brings you down, because we have seen it in ample numbers -- day in and day out. But it is unforgivable if you did something that may be misinterpreted as disrespecting any national sentiment."

He recalled a case filed against him for allegedly insulting the National Anthem, which was played in instrumental and said that the case ended in his favour but he had to spend Rs 48 lakh on lawyers.

He raised questions on self-appointed moral vigilantes who keep filing unwarranted cases. He pointed out that a "staggering number of cases" were pending at various district courts in the country and said there is an urgent need of judges to reduce the pending cases.

Opining that lawyers` fees are high in the country, Murthy said: "The cost of litigation in India seems unaffordable for the common man." He also suggested various ways to reduce pending cases.