India / Parties must publish criminal records of candidates within 48 hrs of selection: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the political parties to publish the criminal antecedents, in any, of the candidates within 48 hours of their selection.

The apex court has called this a step towards decriminalization of politics, according to a report by Live Law.

The Court said that it shall be mandatory for political parties at the Central and state election level to upload on the website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases.

The information provided by the parties should include the nature of the offences and the relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned court, the case number, etc) who have been selected as candidates, along with the reasons for selection of the candidates, as quoted by Live Law.

A bench of Justices RF Nariman and BR Gavai modified its February 13, 2020, judgment in this regard.

SC modifies previous judgment

The Supreme Court in paragraph 4.4 of the February 2020 judgment had ordered that the details shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate or not less than two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier.

On Tuesday, the bench said that it has changed paragraph 4.4 of the said judgment and made it as publication within 48 hours. The bench has also passed certain additional directions, which will be known when the full copy of the judgment is uploaded.

The bench modified the February judgment while delivering its verdict on petitions that sought suspension of the symbol of political parties which did not disclose the criminal backgrounds of their candidates during Bihar Assembly Elections 2020.

The pleas have sought contempt action alleging failure to publish criminal antecedents of candidates even after the February 2020 order by the Supreme Court.