SUPREME COURT ENTERTAINED, THE PLEA OF LOK PRAHARI (NGO) FOR CONTEMPT OVER INACTION ON 2018 ORDER , PERTINENT TO THE LEGISLATORS ASSETS, PRESCRIBED UNDER THE RULES.

Supreme Court entertains contempt plea  over inaction on 2018 order issued on the legislators assets for not implementing the Supreme Court 2018 judgement asking for framing of the rules to make it mandatory for electoral candidates to declare the source of their income along with assets owned by them and their family. The lok prahari NGO achieved success after four unsuccessful attempts seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the center. In the 2018 judgement the SC had ruled that non disclosure of assets and sources of income of the candidates and their associates would constitute a corrupt practice falling under heading undue influence as defined under section 123(2) of the representation of the people Act of 1951.The court had also agreed with the plea taken by the said NGO that there was a need to set up a permanent mechanism to periodically collect the data of legislatures and their associates for disproportionate increase in their assets and ruled that the body could recommend prosecution of the legislator or his /her associates, and place the information before the legislature concerned to examine the eligibility of such legislator to continue to be a member of the house. The SC further said that information about the contracts with appropriate government and any public company by the candidate, his /her dependents directly or by Hindu undivided family/trust/partnership, private companies in which the candidate and his spouse and dependents have a share or interest shall also be provided (by the candidate) in the affidavit in form 26 prescribed under the rules.