Why special treatment for MPs, asks SC

The SC today asked the Centre why MPs or MLAs convicted by a court be treated as a "special class." A convicted MP or an MLA is allowed to continue as a member of the assembly or Parliament, if he or she challenges his or her conviction.

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre why MPs or MLAs convicted by a court be treated as a "special class." A convicted MP or an MLA is allowed to continue as a member of the assembly or Parliament, if he or she challenges his or her conviction.

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During the hearing of a PIL challenging the provision of Representative of People's Act that allows continuance of a convicted MP or an MLA, the bench said: "Why they be treated as special class? Why should there be different laws for them? Can Parliament make one law for its own members and other law for citizens?" It directed the ASG Paras Kuhad to file an affidavit as to how the government defended the plea raised in the PIL seeking to strike down sections 8 (4) of Representation of the People Act on the ground they violated Article 14 and Article 102 of the Constitution.