Recommendation by EC favouring life ban of convicted politicians in criminal cases being considered: Centre tells SC

The Centre on Wednesday told Supreme Court that it is actively considering recommendation of EC and Law Commission favouring life ban of convicted politicians in criminal cases. Centre told apex court that decriminalisation of politics has to be done and it favours setting up of special courts to deal with criminal cases against politicians.

SC in turn directed Centre  place before it scheme for setting up of special courts and indicate funds that can be earmarked for it. SC also asked  Centre to apprise how many of 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as per 2014 data, have been disposed of within one year. It sought details of criminal cases lodged against politicians between 2014 and 2017 and data of their disposal.

Earlier, the Election Commission told SC said that it had written to the government that it favours life ban for convicted criminals from contesting. 

In July, SC had rapped the ECI for not taking a clear stand on a plea seeking barring convicted politicians for life.  “Is silence an option for you (ECI)? You must say either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on whether you are supporting the petitioner. You are the ECI and here is a citizen of India who has come here to seek lifetime debarment of convicted persons. Can you say I will be silent? No, you cannot,” the bench had said.

“If you (ECI) feel constrained by the legislature, then let us know. If you are even constrained to the extent of giving your view, feel free and say so clearly,” said the apex court. 

With agency inputs