SC rules out disqualifying tainted lawmakers from contesting elections

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it was "not in a position to add disqualification of candidates on the filing of charge sheet in criminal cases". The verdict was pronounced on a batch of pleas raising a question whether lawmakers facing criminal trial can be disqualified from contesting elections at the stage of framing of charges against them. Leaving it to Parliament to stop criminals from contesting polls, the court said: “National interest demands Parliament enacts such legislation and the country awaits such a legislation.”