Leaders With Criminal Record Should Not Be Lawmakers But Judiciary Is Helpless: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the politicians with criminal antecedents should not be lawmakers but the court cannot issue any direction in this regard in the absence of any legal provision made by the legislature.

A bench comprising Justices RF Nariman and BR Gavai made the observation while disposing a contempt petition filed by advocate Brajesh Singh for issuing directions to make the right of information of a voter more meaningful and effective.

The court was considering a request made by amicus curiae KV Viswanathan that it should issue a direction to the Election Commission of India to withdraw recognition of any political party which flouts the court order in this regard.

“We desire that something urgently requires to be done in the matter. But our hands are tied in view of the constitutional scheme of separation of powers,” the bench said.

Stating that criminalisation of Indian political system was growing day by day, the bench hoped that the political parties would wake up and take urgent steps to stop the menace.

It further said though it was deeply concerned by the issue, the court can only appeal to the conscience of the legislators in this regard.