Senior lawyer and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament K T S Tulsi today welcomed the Supreme Court's decision not to disqualify ministers with criminal backgrounds and for saying that it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to do so.
The apex court had also said that it reposed immense trust in the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers not to appoint anyone who is being tried in the courts for some serious criminal charge.
Addressing the media here, Tulsi said, "The Supreme Court's judgement is absolutely correct and constitutional, and I fully support it, because the Supreme Court cannot give a judgement against constitutional principles. A person cannot be considered guilty or disqualified on the basis of an FIR, a charge-sheet or even after framing charges."
"Disqualification can only occur if a final judgement comes where a person is convicted and then punished for at least two years," he added.
"The Supreme Court's verdict is correct because it's one of the Constitution's central principle, which is a 'presumption of innocence till proven guilty'. Neither a charge-sheet nor charges can take away that presumption," the senior lawyer said.
"Sometimes, the media considers a person guilty on the basis of accusations, but it is not right, and I am not in favour of that," he said.
A five-bench judge headed by Chief Justice of India R. M. Lodha delivered the verdict on a PIL on whether ministers with criminal cases against them can continue to be a part of the government.