No Need for Lifetime Ban on Convicted Politicians: Central Government to Supreme Court

The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that imposing a lifetime ban on convicted politicians is too harsh and that the existing six-year disqualification is sufficient. The government made this statement in an affidavit submitted to the country’s highest court.

A petition had been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a lifetime ban on politicians convicted in criminal cases. Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, the petitioner, argued that the current six-year disqualification is inadequate and that convicted politicians should be permanently barred from contesting elections. In response, the Supreme Court sought the central government’s opinion on the matter.

In its affidavit, the central government asserted that a lifetime ban is an extreme measure and reiterated that the existing six-year disqualification is appropriate. It further stated that the decision on whether to impose a lifetime or six-year ban falls under the purview of Parliament. The government argued that Parliament has already considered all relevant factors and determined that a six-year ban is appropriate.

The Supreme Court is yet to deliver its final verdict on the matter.