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SC verdict on criminals

Kashmir Times. Dated: 7/28/2013 10:00:42 PM

Dear Editor,
Kudos to Supreme Court for its verdict to ensure that those who are convicted of serious crimes cannot sit in Parliament or State legislatures simply by filing an appeal. While the Supreme Court verdict is a blow against criminals sitting in legislatures, it has not gone far enough in tackling the menace of criminalisation that is corroding our democracy.
The Supreme Court had earlier favoured the view that once charges are framed against a candidate by a magistrate, his or her nomination papers should be rejected. This shuts the electoral door on criminals at the entry point, even before their conviction. That would have been a more effective remedy than the recent judgment.
—Yaqoob Wani, Kishtwar.