AMN
The Supreme Court today refused to accord urgent hearing on a plea raising questions like whether people facing trial in serious crime cases can be allowed to contest and at which stage of trial, a lawmaker would stand disqualified.
A bench, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, said they have already fixed three matters for disposal by a five-judge Constitution bench in summer vacation.
The apex court had, in January, said it will soon constitute a Constitution bench to decide these issues, adding that it cannot give an immediate answer to these questions since there is a fear of lodging false cases in elections.
The court had, in March last year, referred various PILs to the Chief Justice of India, saying questions like can a lawmaker facing criminal trial, be disqualified at conviction stage or at the framing of charge in a case have to be decided by a larger bench.