Lawmakers Seek Clarity on Bill to Remove Jailed Ministers: Key Concerns Arise
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A parliamentary committee reviewing three significant bills, including the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, has sought clarification from legal experts on key aspects. The bill proposes that a sitting minister, including the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, can be removed within a month if arrested or detained for 30 consecutive days over an offence with a jail term of five years or more. Lawmakers raised concerns about the definition of a 'heinous crime' and how it would be applied. They also questioned why ministers would lose their positions but not MPs or MLAs if arrested. The issue of habitual offenders who might not face punishment for five years or more also came up for discussion. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), headed by BJP lawmaker Aparajita Sarangi, met with legal experts from the Law Commission of India, National Law University, Delhi, and NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. The experts provided in-principle approval for the bill but sought clarification on these key aspects. The JPC will now seek broader consultation and travel to different states to meet with elected state governments and other stakeholders. The panel will meet again on January 22 to discuss further. According to panel chief Aparajita Sarangi, all MPs effectively expressed their views and asked questions, and the experts have been asked to submit their detailed views in writing.
