Centre set to introduce bill on removal of convicted ministers, and CMs
Constitution amendment bill
to provide a legal framework for the removal of the Prime Minister, Union ministers, chief ministers and state ministers who are arrested or detained on account of serious criminal offences.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth) Amendment Bill seeks to add a clause to Article 75 of the Constitution and to other similar laws dealing with Union Territories and Jammu and Kashmir.
The bill proposes that if a minister in a state or at the Centre, including the chief minister or the Prime Minister, is arrested and detained in custody for 30 days in a case carrying a punishment which may extend to five years' imprisonment, he or she shall tender a reason before the 31st day of arrest. Failing this, the minister would cease to hold office.
The legal framework is similar for ministers in states and Union Territories, at the Centre, as well as for chief ministers and the Prime Minister.
The bill was mooted by the Union Home Ministry and cleared by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday, sources said.
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It is expected to be introduced on Wednesday, the penultimate day of the monsoon session, and could be referred to a joint parliamentary committee comprising members of both Houses, sources said. After its introduction, it is expected to spark debate, as it could have a wider impact on politics and political leaders.
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