2 weeks ago
Supreme Court reviews criminal cases against 326 MPs, 14 CMs
In India, some people who make laws for the country are also accused of doing bad things.
A very important court called the Supreme Court looked at a report about this.
The report says that many members of Parliament have criminal cases against them.
It also says that 14 chief ministers, who lead states, have criminal cases.
One chief minister has as many as 89 cases.
The court wants these cases to be finished quickly.
A lawyer named Ashwini Upadhyaya asked the court to make a rule that people who are found guilty can never become lawmakers again.
Right now, the law says they cannot be lawmakers for six years after they are released.
The report shows that many cases have been waiting for years, which worries the court.
The Supreme Court was told that 251 of 543 Lok Sabha members and 75 of 233 Rajya Sabha members have criminal cases against them.
Amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria's report says 14 chief ministers have declared criminal cases, including Telangana's Revanth Reddy with 89 cases.
Uttar Pradesh tops the state list, with 205 of its 403 MLAs facing criminal charges, followed by Bengal and Maharashtra.
A total of 4,192 criminal cases are pending against current and former MPs and MLAs, with 1,243 decided and 1,050 new cases registered in 2025.
Advocate Ashwini Upadhyaya's petition challenges Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, seeking a lifetime ban on convicted lawmakers.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria, petitioner advocate Ashwini Upadhyaya, and MPs, MLAs and chief ministers with criminal cases.
- What
- Review of a report on criminal cases pending against 326 MPs and 14 chief ministers, along with a petition challenging the disqualification law for convicted lawmakers.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The report was submitted on Monday, with scrutiny scheduled for Tuesday; the exact date is not stated in the article.
- Why
- To ensure expeditious disposal of criminal cases against lawmakers and to consider a lifetime ban on convicted legislators.
Lifetime ban
Six-year disqualification
Disqualification of convicted lawmakers
Lifetime ban
Petitioner Ashwini Upadhyaya seeks a lifetime ban on lawmakers convicted of crimes.
Six-year disqualification
Current law under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 disqualifies a convicted lawmaker for six years after release.
Key facts
- Lok Sabha members with criminal cases
- 251 of 543
- Rajya Sabha members with criminal cases
- 75 of 233
- Chief ministers with criminal cases
- 14
- Total pending cases against MPs/MLAs
- 4,192
- Cases decided in 2025
- 1,243
- New cases registered in 2025
- 1,050
- CM with most cases
- Revanth Reddy (Telangana), 89 cases
- State with most MLAs facing charges
- Uttar Pradesh (205 of 403)
Quotes
Vijay Hansaria
Senior advocate and amicus curiae
“"The public concern is further aggravated where the accused continues to hold public office of considerable influence during the pendency of serious criminal proceedings. The electorate is entitled to have access to a political process in which allegations of serious criminality are adjudicated by a competent court with reasonable expedition."”
telegraphindia.com
“"The fact that several such proceedings have remained pending for many years, and in some cases for decades, is a matter of serious concern and calls for effective judicial intervention by this Hon’ble court to ensure that the criminal justice process reaches its logical conclusion within a reasonable period."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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