Anti-defection law: Supreme Court ready to hear plea for its interpretation
The Indian Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea from senior advocate Kapil Sibal regarding the interpretation of the 10th Schedule, or anti-defection law. The petition challenges the current legal loopholes that allow political parties to bypass disqualification rules through mergers, which critics argue undermines democratic mandates.
Why it matters
The case has significant implications for the stability of India's political system and the integrity of electoral verdicts against party-switching.
NEW DELHI: Observing that there are "enormous issues" with the working of 10th Schedule, Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear senior advocate Kapil Sibal's plea for interpretation of anti-defection law in order to curb illegal defections through the route of political party merger.Though a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said the issue ought to be raised in Parliament, it agreed to examine the matter after Sibal submitted that it would not be addressed in Parliament as it benefits those in power. The court then issued notice to Centre seeking its response."These are issues typically to be raised before the floor of the House; if not, then at least before political parties. The 10th Schedule is intended to regulate the mechanism between the legislators... We have been seeing it. There are enormous issues with the 10th Schedule. But who made it?
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