The Supreme Court today refused to disqualify ministers with criminal backgrounds, saying that it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to do so.
The apex court further 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.
Petitioner Rakesh Dwivedi said, "The Supreme Court says that the framers of the constitution have reposed great public trust and responsibility on these high dignitaries in discharging of these responsibilities and they must ensure that democratic principles should be kept in view."
"They should not appoint any such person who is undergoing a serious criminal charge and is being tried in the courts for that will be against the principles of democracy which will be contrary to the discharge of public trust and will also be against public morality," he added.
The court was hearing a plea on whether ministers with criminal cases against them can continue to be a part of the Government.
A five bench judge headed by Chief Justice of India R. M. Lodha delivered the verdict.
According to certain estimates, more than thirty percent of the ministers in the present government have a criminal background.