SC refuses to entertain PIL challenging automatic disqualification of convicted legislators

SC refuses to entertain PIL challenging automatic disqualification of convicted legislators

PIL in Supreme Court challenges 'automatic disqualification' of lawmakers upon conviction and 2-year sentence


A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the "automatic disqualification" of lawmakers upon their conviction and being sentenced to a jail term for two years or more according to section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act.

The plea, filed by a Kerala-based social activist, said the immediate reason for approaching the apex court was a recent development related to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as a member of Parliament from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, after he was convicted by a court in Gujarat's Surat in a 2019 criminal defamation case.