Don't include people with criminal charges in cabinet: SC tells PM

Supreme Court says prime minister being a custodian of constitutional morality and trust is expected not to make people with criminal background ministers

The Supreme Court Wednesday said that though there was no bar on the prime minister recommending any person to be a minister in the government, being a custodian of constitutional morality and trust, he is expected not to make tainted people ministers.

An apex court constitution bench said that though no disqualification could be added to Article 75 (1) of the constitution that empowers the prime minister to make anyone as a minister, but a person in conflict with law should not be entrusted with executive responsibilities.

A general view of the Supreme Court in New Delhi. Photo: AFP

Referring to the constituent assembly debates, Justice Dipak Misra referred to first president Rajendra Prasad who said that "many things cannot be written in the constitution, but are followed by convention".

The court said the constitutional functionaries are expected to uphold trust reposited in them by the people and the cherished values of democracy.

Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph delivered separate judgments while concurring with a majority judgment delivered by Justice Misra.

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