New Delhi: The national level consultations on decriminalising politics and disqualifying those who file false affidavits on Saturday threw up differing opinions on the subjects even as the Law Commission event saw participation of only a few political parties. Based on Saturday’s deliberations, the Commission will finalise a report on the two issues that it has to submit to the Supreme Court later this month.
In December, the apex court had asked the law panel to submit a report on the two issues — whether disqualification should be triggered upon conviction as it exists today or upon framing of charges or filing of charge sheet and whether filing of false affidavit under Section 125 A of Representation of the People Act should be a ground for disqualification.
It wanted to know in case it can be a ground for disqualification, what mode and mechanism should be followed for such disqualification. The issue of disqualification saw the participants, including politicians, NGOs and other stakeholders giving a spilt verdict. While some supported disqualification upon conviction, others said disqualification could trigger following framing of charges by a competent court. (PTI)
