LI Network
Published on: 25 July 2023 at 14:25 IST
Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, the amicus curiae appointed by the Supreme Court, informed the apex court that as of July 2022, a significant number of members in both houses of Parliament have criminal cases pending against them.
According to the 17th report submitted in the matter relating to criminal cases against MPs/MLAs, 44% of Lok Sabha members and 31% of Rajya Sabha members have criminal cases pending against them.
The information provided by the amicus curiae is based on a comprehensive study conducted by the Association for Democratic Rights. The study scrutinized the criminal records of lawmakers in both houses of Parliament, revealing the alarming proportion of pending criminal cases.
The statistics shed light on a persistent issue that has long plagued India’s political landscape. The presence of lawmakers with criminal backgrounds has been a matter of public concern and debate, raising questions about the efficacy of the electoral process and the need for electoral reforms.
The amicus curiae’s report has ignited renewed discussions on the urgent need for measures to ensure cleaner politics and the representation of people with impeccable backgrounds in the country’s legislative bodies.
While the data points to a concerning situation, it is essential to note that the legal process can be lengthy, and cases against lawmakers might still be pending trial. It does not necessarily imply that all these members have been convicted of any crime. However, the mere presence of pending criminal cases raises questions about the selection criteria of political parties and the accountability of elected representatives.
The Supreme Court has been closely monitoring the issue of criminalization of politics in India, and the amicus curiae’s report serves as crucial evidence to assess the gravity of the situation. The court may consider taking various steps to address the problem, such as recommending legal reforms or directing concerned authorities to expedite the trial of pending cases against lawmakers.