What steps can be taken to end political criminalisation? Any four.
Answers
A two Judge Bench of Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a Judgment on the contempt petitions regarding the criminalisation of politics in India and the non-compliance of the directions of a Constitution Bench of Supreme Court in Public Interest Foundation and Ors. v. Union of India and Anr. (2019) 3 SCC 224.
The Bench comprising of Justice RF Nariman and Justice Ravindra Bhat observed that over the last four general elections, there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of criminals in politics. In 2004, 24% of the Members of Parliament had criminal cases pending against them; in 2009, that went up to 30%; in 2014 to 34%; and in 2019 as many as 43% of MPs had criminal cases pending against them.
Steps taken to end political criminalisation are mentioned below
- Conviction of the criminals should be done in fast track courts and they should not be allowed to take part in political elections.
- All the Election Commissioners should be appointed in a lawful and correct manner.
- Anyone who's imprisoned for more than 7 years should not be allowed to contest or take part in elections.
- Discipline should be maintained while the elections are being contested.