Imposing Life Ban On Convicted Lawmakers 'Harsh', Centre Tells Supreme Court

The central government on Wednesday submitted a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court, opposing a petition seeking a lifetime ban on politicians from contesting elections after being convicted in criminal cases.

The government said that the duration of disqualification falls strictly within the realm of legislative policy, Live Law reported. The assertion was made in an affidavit submitted in response to a petition filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyaya in 2016, which challenged the constitutional validity of Sections 8 and 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

"The question whether a lifetime ban would be appropriate or not is a question that is solely within the domain of the parliament," the Centre said in its counter-affidavit.