Corruption is a "disease like cancer" which if not detected in time will spread "its malignancy" in the polity of the country, the Supreme Court said today.

"Corruption in a civilised society is a disease like cancer, which if not detected in time, is sure to spread its malignancy among the polity of the country, leading to disastrous consequences," a bench of justices B S Chauhan and F M Ibrahim Kalifulla said.

The court made the observations in its judgement that dismissed the Gujarat government's plea against the state high court's January 18, 2012 order which had upheld Justice (Retd) R A Mehta's appointment as Lokayukta, an anti-graft watchdog body, by Governor Kamla Beniwal.

The apex court also said, "Corruption in society is required to be detected and eradicated at the earliest as it shakes the socio-economic-political system in an otherwise healthy, wealthy, effective and vibrating society.

"Liberty cannot last long unless the state is able to eradicate corruption from public life."

The state government in its plea had contended that the personal discretion exercised by the governor in issuing the appointment warrant of Lokayukta was "unwarranted."

The government had said the appointment was done without consulting it.

The apex court, however, upheld the appointment saying it was done in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.

The governor had on August 25, 2011 appointed justice Mehta to the post of Lokayukta, which had been lying vacant for last eight years.

The apex court in its 81-page judgement said "lack of probity" in public life leads to corruption which "erodes quality of life" as "it has links with organised crimes, economic crimes like money laundering etc. And terrorism."

"Its impact is disastrous in developing world as it hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development," the court said.

The bench said the corruption is a matter of "great concern" and should be dealt with "decisively" as it is a hurdle in implementation and enforcement of the government policies.

"Corruption is instrumental in non-implementation and enforcement of policies adopted by the government. Thus, it is not merely a fringe issue but a subject matter of grave concern and requires to be decisively dealt with," it said.

The court said corruption is "anti-people" as it is a threat to the concept of Constitutional governance and shakes the very foundation of democracy and the rule of law.

The bench also said corruption "de-values human rights, chokes development and corrodes the moral fabric of society."

"It causes considerable damage to the national economy, national interest and the image of the country," it said.