SC to consider 5-judge bench to hear plea seeking ban on charged politicians

September 05,2017:     The Supreme Court today said it would consider setting up a five-judge constitution bench to hear a plea seeking barring of those politicians against whom charges have been framed in serious offences, from contesting elections.

The petition, which was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, has raised a question whether a person against whom charges have been framed be permitted to contest polls.
The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said that they will consider the plea seeking early adjudication by a five-judge constitution bench. At present, a person, convicted in a serious criminal case, is barred from contesting polls and a lawmaker stands disqualified in the event of conviction.

Besides this plea, former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh and NGO ‘Public Interest Foundation’ had filed PILs raising similar issues.      (AIR NEWS)