SC to Hear Plea on Barring Candidates with Serious Charges, March 18

Quick Summary

• The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a plea on March 18 to debar candidates charged with serious offenses from contesting elections.
• Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh will be presiding over the hearing.
• The plea was filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar upadhyay, seeking action from the Center and the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• The petition argues for restrictions on candidates facing criminal trials,citing prior recommendations by the Law Commission and court directives.
• Data cited in the petition mentions that 43% of winners in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections declared facing criminal charges.
• There has been a meaningful increase in MPs with serious criminal cases as 2009, as per NGO Association for Democratic Reforms.
• Political parties are criticized for selecting candidates with criminal backgrounds, contributing to political criminalization.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The upcoming Supreme Court hearing represents a critical point in addressing political accountability in India. With nearly half of elected representatives declaring pending criminal cases, this plea could instigate significant reforms if acted upon favorably. Curbing political involvement by individuals with serious legal charges may enhance public trust and reinforce democratic integrity. However, implementing such measures requires careful legislative changes ensuring fair trials while protecting electoral rights. ultimately, this case offers an opportunity to revisit long-standing issues regarding transparency and ethics within Indian politics.

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