I was reading about Pravin Mahajan trial on Times Of India site and came across the following gem:

"Gopinath Munde had told the court that Mahajan had named Pravin as the person who shot him while he was being rushed to Hinduja Hospital. The judge treated it as a dying declaration since it was made to Munde, a former minister and a responsible citizen who was not expected to lie to the court."

Now I have a few questions:

1. Aren't all ministers - former or otherwise - supposed to be responsible citizens? If not, then why is "and a responsible citizen" tacked on after "former minister"? :-)

2. If a former minister is not a responsible citizen is he expected to lie to the court? :-)

3. Whatever gave the judge the idea that ministers - former or otherwise - cannot lie to the court? :-)