New Delhi – The government has defended its stance on barring convicted politicians from contesting elections for six years, arguing before the Supreme Court that a lifetime disqualification would be “unduly harsh.”
In its submission, the government stated that while ensuring integrity in politics is crucial, imposing a lifelong ban on convicted leaders could be excessive and disproportionate. The response comes amid petitions seeking stricter electoral disqualification rules for those found guilty of criminal offenses.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on whether stricter measures should be enforced to prevent convicted politicians from re-entering public office. While some legal experts and activists support a lifetime ban as a means to curb criminalization in politics, the government maintains that the existing six-year period strikes a fair balance between punishment and rehabilitation.
The court is expected to deliberate on the matter further before issuing its ruling, which could have a significant impact on India’s political landscape.