Candidates can't be barred from polls on framing of criminal charges: SC

Each candidate to declare criminal antecedents to EC before contesting an election, SC said

Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that candidates cannot be disqualified on framing of charges against them in a criminal case. 

However, the top court held that each candidate shall declare such charges to the election commission before contesting an election.

The verdict was pronounced on a batch of pleas raising a question whether lawmakers facing criminal trial can be disqualified from contesting elections at the stage of framing of charges against them.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra had earlier indicated that voters have a