While the SC constitution bench comprising CJI Dipak Misra and Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra was hearing a plea on political candidates with criminal cases pending, a novel suggestion by Advocate Gopal Shankarnarayan came up on Tuesday (August 21).

In the hearing of the plea asking for the disqualification of legislators facing criminal trial, Shankarnarayan said since the bench can’t order Centre to come up with a legislation on that, it can issue directions that the hoarding or publicity material of the candidate contesting elections shall have details of the crimes he has been charged with similarly to cigarette and other tobacco products which have a statutory health warning.

The matter will be again heard on August 28.

—India Legal Bureau