India's SC dumps tainted ministers on PM

The Indian Supreme Court has left it to the Prime Minister's discretion to disqualify ministers facing criminal charges, reports NDTV.

News Deskbdnews24.com
Published : 27 August 2014, 07:00 AM
Updated : 27 August 2014, 07:00 AM

The court on Wednesday gave the verdict in a 10-year-old petition that sought the removal of charge-sheeted ministers from the Congress-led UPA government at that time.

"Corruption is an enemy of the nation. As a trustee of the Constitution, the PM is expected not to appoint unwarranted persons as ministers, no disqualification can be prescribed," NDTV quoted a Constitution bench of the country's five senior most judges as saying.

"It is expected that the PM will not appoint persons against whom charges have been framed and are facing trial. We leave it to the PM and Chief Ministers," the bench further said.

Narendra Modi's cabinet has 14 ministers facing charges like, murder, rioting, criminal intimidation and even rape.

Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that elected lawmakers will stand disqualified if convicted by a court and sentenced to two years of imprisonment or more.