Centre's opposition to the Supreme Court's proposal for a lifetime ban on criminal leaders

(PTI) New Delhi, Ta. 3
A public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court to stop the convicted leaders from contesting the elections. In this regard, the Supreme Court had proposed a life ban on criminal leaders and sought a reply from the Central Government in this regard. The central government opposed the proposal to ban criminal leaders.
A public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court to bar convicted leaders from contesting elections for life. BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay said in the petition that the culprit should not be allowed to contest the election. The offender should be banned from contesting elections for life. Not only that, the leaders who are punishable should also be stopped from contesting elections. A person who is released from jail after receiving a sentence as per the application should not be allowed to contest elections for six years.
The apex court had sought a reply from the Center in this regard. The Union Law Ministry had submitted an affidavit opposing the proposal to impose a life ban on criminal leaders. Citing the constitution, the Union Law Ministry, which has come to the defense of criminal leaders, said that barring a citizen from contesting an election would violate the right to equality.
A law ministry official said in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court that a life ban was unconstitutional. Citing a constitutional right amended in 191, the central government had protested against a lifetime ban on criminal politicians.