New Delhi [India], Apr 18 : The Centre on Tuesday expressed its objection to the Supreme Court about barring convicted politicians for life from contesting polls.
In its affidavit, which the Centre filed today in apex court, it said that there were already adequate provisions in the Representation of the People Act to deal with disqualification of convicted persons and no further stipulation on this subject was called for.
Earlier on April 3, the apex court had refused to accord urgent hearing on a plea raising questions whether people facing trial in serious criminal cases can be allowed to contest and at which stage of trial, a lawmaker stands disqualified.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar, said they had fixed three matters for disposal by a five-judge Constitution bench during the summer vacation.
Earlier on March 21, the Election Commission, in its reply to the apex court, had supported the demand raised by PIL petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay for barring convicted politicians for life from contesting polls.
The EC had said it "supports the cause espoused by the petitioner". The apex court in January had said it would soon frame a Constitution bench to decide these issues, adding that it could not give an immediate answer to these questions, since there was a fear of lodging false cases in elections.
In March last year, the apex court referred various PILs to the Chief Justice, saying issues, including the disqualification of a lawmaker facing a criminal trial at conviction stage or at the framing of charge in a case, have to be decided by a larger bench.
Source: ANI
