Supreme Court Seeks Attorney General's View on Plea for Lifetime Ban for Convicted Politicians

The Supreme Court sought Attorney General R. Venkataramani’s input on a plea seeking a lifetime ban on convicted MPs and MLAs from contesting elections.

Filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the petition challenges Sections 8 and 9 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, which disqualifies convicted politicians only for six years from the date of their release from prison.

It has been contended that it is unconstitutional to ban such persons from elected posts only for a limited period of time.

The matter will be heard next on March 4.