Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay vs Union of India — Lifetime ban on convicted politicians

Updates

1. Judgment26 Feb 2025

   Life Ban On Convicted Politicians Harsh, 6 Years Enough: Centre To Supreme Court

   A lifetime ban on politicians convicted in criminal cases would be harsh and six years, which is the current period of disqualification, is enough to act as...

   Explanation in simple terms

   The government has told the Supreme Court that a permanent ban on convicted politicians from running for office is too extreme. Instead, they argue that the current rule, which prevents them from contesting elections for six years after completing their sentence, is sufficient. The government believes this existing timeframe is enough to hold politicians accountable without being overly harsh. The court is now considering whether to keep the current rules or impose a lifetime ban.

   ndtv.com
2. News13 Feb 2025

   Should convicted persons be allowed to contest elections? | Explained

   Supreme Court hears petition for lifetime ban on convicted persons from contesting elections, addressing criminalisation of politics.

   Explanation in simple terms

   The Supreme Court is currently considering whether people convicted of serious crimes should be permanently banned from running for office. Currently, convicted politicians are barred from contesting elections for six years after completing their prison sentences. The court is debating if this ban should be extended for life to ensure cleaner politics. This case is significant because it addresses whether individuals with criminal records should ever be allowed to hold public power again.

   thehindu.com