Report No. 244

B. Proposed Sections

In order to implement the aforesaid recommendations, the following legislative reforms are suggested:

(i) Amendments on disqualification upon framing of charges

The Law Commission proposes that a new section (Section 8B) be inserted in the RPA after Section 8A. It should read:

"8B. Disqualification on framing of charge for certain offences.- (1) A person against whom a charge has been framed by a competent court for an offence punishable by at least five years imprisonment shall be disqualified from the date of framing the charge for a period of six years, or till the date of quashing of charge or acquittal, whichever is earlier.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply to a person:

(i) Who holds office as a Member of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council at the date of enactment of this provision, or

(ii) Against whom a charge has been framed for an offence punishable by at least five years imprisonment;

(a) Less than one year before the date of scrutiny of nominations for an election under Section 36, in relation to that election;

(b) At a time when such person holds office as a Member of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council, and has been elected to such office after the enactment of these provisions;

(3) For Members of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council covered by clause (ii) of sub-section (2), they shall be disqualified at the expiry of one year from the date of framing of charge or date of election, whichever is later, unless they have been acquitted in the said period or the relevant charge against them has been quashed.

OR

(3) For Members of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council covered by clause (ii) of sub-section (2), their right to vote in the House as a member, remuneration and other perquisites attaching to their office, shall be suspended at the expiry of one year from the date of framing of charge or date of election, whichever is later, unless they have been acquitted in the said period or the relevant charge against them has been quashed.

(4) Any disqualification/suspension under sub-section (3) shall operate till the dissolution of the House, or for Members of the Rajya Sabha or State Legislative Council, up to the end of their present term as Member.

[Clause 3 is to be read with the direction to be issued by the Supreme Court to all courts that trial of Members of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council against whom charges have been framed for an offence punishable by at least five years imprisonment shall be expedited and heard on a day-to-day basis with a view to completing the trial in one year from the date of framing of charge or date of election whichever is later.]

"8C. Transitory provision.- A person against whom a charge has been framed by a competent court for an offence punishable by at least five years, before the enactment of this provision irrespective of when the charge was framed, shall, unless exempted under sub-section (2) of Section 8B, be disqualified for a period of six years from the date of enactment of this provision or till the date of quashing of charge or acquittal, whichever is earlier."