Govt proposes tough rules for leaders with criminal cases | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a major legislative push, the government has introduced three key bills in Parliament to address a serious legal gap.

These bills aim to remove top leaders, the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, or State/UT Ministers, if they are arrested or detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a motion in the Lok Sabha.

The motion seeks to refer these bills to a joint committee of Parliament for detailed examination.

Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025

• This bill proposes changes to the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
• The Act currently does not allow for the removal of a Chief Minister or Minister in Union Territories, even if they are arrested.
• The amendment to Section 45 will now make such removal possible in cases of serious criminal charges.

Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025

• This is the most far-reaching of the three. It seeks to amend Articles 75, 164, and 239AA of the Constitution.
• Currently, there is no provision to remove central or state leaders on the grounds of criminal detention.
• The bill will establish a legal framework to remove such individuals after 30 days of arrest or detention.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025

• This bill targets a gap in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
• As of now, it lacks any clause for the removal of detained ministers.
• The new amendment to Section 54 will allow for the dismissal of J&K leaders facing serious charges.

While the government presents the move as a push for cleaner governance, critics argue it’s a strategic distraction.

Opposition voices suggest the timing is deliberate, aimed at shifting focus from ongoing public mobilisations and political campaigns.

They claim such actions are part of a broader pattern meant to divert attention from pressing issues and rising public sentiment.

As the symbol of governance undergoes renewed scrutiny, the stage is set for intense debates in Parliament.

With differing perspectives on intent and timing, the coming sessions are likely to reflect deeper tensions around accountability, transparency, and political strategy.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on February 25, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/839873