Disclosure of personal info by MP candidates: SC judgment on Dec 11
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
The Supreme Court (SC) has fixed December 11 for a landmark judgment on an appeal seeking to overturn the High Court (HC) ruling that has made mandatory the disclosure of personal information by Member of Parliament (MP) candidates, reports UNB.
Passing the order, after closing arguments by both the sides, the apex court Tuesday also directed the advocate-on-record concerned to ensure the presence of the plaintiff, Abu Safa, before the delivery of judgment on December 11.
On May 24, 2005, the HC upon a public-interest litigation (PIL) writ filed by three lawyers had made mandatory for a candidate of parliamentary elections to make personal information public.
The information includes candidate's academic qualifications, source of income, profession, assets, liabilities, bank balance and criminal records, if any.
The ruling was strictly abided by the Election Commission in the subsequent parliamentary by-elections and election to the 50 seats reserved for women in parliament.
But, after 19 months of execution of the HC direction, Abu Safa, a little-known person in politics, secured a stay order against the ruling from a vacation chamber judge of the SC, a day before the last date of filing nomination for the stalled January 22 election. Later Safa got a leave to appeal against the HC ruling.
In the meantime, the PIL writ petitioners filed two applications seeking court orders to ascertain the locus standi of Abu Safa and draw "criminal proceedings" against him and his lawyers 'acting fraud upon the highest judiciary' by making 'false' statements.
Passing the order, after closing arguments by both the sides, the apex court Tuesday also directed the advocate-on-record concerned to ensure the presence of the plaintiff, Abu Safa, before the delivery of judgment on December 11.
On May 24, 2005, the HC upon a public-interest litigation (PIL) writ filed by three lawyers had made mandatory for a candidate of parliamentary elections to make personal information public.
The information includes candidate's academic qualifications, source of income, profession, assets, liabilities, bank balance and criminal records, if any.
The ruling was strictly abided by the Election Commission in the subsequent parliamentary by-elections and election to the 50 seats reserved for women in parliament.
But, after 19 months of execution of the HC direction, Abu Safa, a little-known person in politics, secured a stay order against the ruling from a vacation chamber judge of the SC, a day before the last date of filing nomination for the stalled January 22 election. Later Safa got a leave to appeal against the HC ruling.
In the meantime, the PIL writ petitioners filed two applications seeking court orders to ascertain the locus standi of Abu Safa and draw "criminal proceedings" against him and his lawyers 'acting fraud upon the highest judiciary' by making 'false' statements.