Disqualification of lawmakers: AAP welcomes SC decision

Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party today welcomed Supreme Court's decision that struck down a provision in the electoral law that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts.

Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday welcomed Supreme Court's decision that struck down a provision in the electoral law that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts.

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Terming the judgement as "historical", Kejriwal said it would help in keeping criminals and corrupt people away from politics.

"AAP had been saying that until people with criminal cases are not prevented from entering into the Parliament and the Assemblies, democracy could not be established," Kejriwal said, adding not only the convicts but also those against whom there is any charge sheet should not be allowed to contest elections.

He said the SC judgement would help his party's campaign to clean the politics.

Kejriwal said, according to ADR reports, one third of the Members of Parliament (around 161) have criminal cases against them, while there are grave criminal cases against 78 MPs.

Also in Delhi Assembly, out of 70 MLAs, 32 have criminal cases and of these there are serious criminal charges against eight of them.