SC advises PM, CMs not to induct chargesheeted 'ministers'

J VENKATESAN/THE HINDU, NEW DELHI | 27 August 2014 12:33 IST

In a landmark verdict the Supreme Court on Wednesday advised the Prime Minister or Chief Minister of a State not to induct charge sheeted persons facing trial for offences involving moral turpitude as Ministers though there was no limitation or restriction in the Constitution which debars any Member of Parliament or Legislative Assembly being included in the Cabinet.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha said the Prime Minister as the trustee of the Constitution was expected to act in accordance with constitutional propriety and not appoint unwarranted persons as Ministers.

Justice Dipak Misra writing the judgment said “Article 75 of the Constitution does not contain any limitation as to who can or cannot be included in the Council of Ministers" and hence no new disqualification could be added to prevent charge sheeted persons from being appointed as Ministers.

The Bench said criminalization of politics destroyed people’s faith in democracy and persons, howsoever, high he/she might be could not be exempted from equal treatment.

It said constitutional morality, good governance and constitutional trust expected good sense from the Prime Minister and it should be left to his wisdom not to recommend any person with criminal charges from being appointed as a Minister.

The bench said that many things could not be said in the Constitution, but the Constitution could not however be expected to operate in a vacuum. The Prime Minister should act in the interest of national polity and avoid unwarranted persons facing criminal charges to restore people’s faith in democracy.

 

The Bench asked “whether a person who has come in conflict with law would be in a position to conscientiously discharge his functions as Minister when his integrity is questioned and whether a person with doubtful integrity can be given the responsibility.”

It pointed out that a person against whom charges were framed or was facing trial was not appointed in any civil service. While so whether a person who was facing the same disqualification could be appointed as a Minister by the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister of a State, the Bench said.

The Bench was disposing of a public interest litigation petition filed in 2005 by Manoj Narula seeking removal of the then four chargesheeted Ministers — Lalu Prasad, Mohammed Taslimuddin, M.A.A. Fatmi and Jai Prakash Yadav from the Cabinet.

The Centre took the stand that Article 75 did not say that any person who had criminal proceedings pending against him had to be read as disqualification of being appointed as a minister. It would be incorrect to read into the provisions of Article 75 such a disqualification when none existed.

The constitution bench while expressing concern over criminalisation of politics left it to the wisdom of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister of a State to take a call on this aspect and not appoint such charge sheeted persons as a Minister.

Original Report with List of chargsheeted ministers


goanews.com is now on Telegram & also Youtube. Kindly subscribe for free & remain updated.


Drop a comment

Enter The Code Displayed hereRefresh Image


Previous Comments

Will the Political Party's in Goa take a Moral Stand as prescribed by The SC?. Highly unlikely.

Both The Congress & BJP too, heavily rely on Criminals to engineer & keep their Party`s afloat.



The Congress Party is probably the worst of the bunch.

90% of its Ministers and probable Ministers are instinctually corrupt.

One could question if they are "born" corrupt or "made" corrupt.

As far as I can evaluate...both apply.

This theory is displayed & evident in the "Family Raj" & " Crony" politics.

The Monserattes, Alemao`s, Naiks, Dhavilikars, Ranes &,Madkaikars are sufficient proof of this. And all the names mentioned have criminal cases pending.

Predicting the future, we may see the Betalbatim Pachecos & Dabolim Godinhos.

- N.Fernandes, London | 27 th August 2014 14:43

 

Latest News

Crime

Desktop Site