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These bills will mandate the dismissal of a minister within 30 days of their arrest on corruption charges
The Home Minister will introduce the Union Territory Administration Amendment Bill, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2025, and the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. File pic/PTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce three bills on Wednesday aimed at addressing corruption allegations against incumbent ministers.
The Home Minister will introduce the Union Territory Administration Amendment Bill, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2025, and the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill.
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These bills will mandate the dismissal of a minister within 30 days of their arrest on corruption charges.
In section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, after sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be inserted: “A minister who is arrested and detained in custody for any period of thirty consecutive days, on allegations of committing an offence under any law currently in force, punishable with imprisonment for a term of five years or more, shall be removed from office by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, by the thirty-first day of being taken into custody.”
Similar sections are being included in the UT Act (Clause 5A to be added to Section 45) and the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill (Clause 5A to be inserted in Article 75 and Article 239Aa, Clause 4A to Article 164).
The statement of objectives and reasons for the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill explains the rationale for this measure.
“The elected representatives embody the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is expected that they rise above political interests and act solely in the public interest and for the welfare of the people,” the statement reads.
It adds that the character and conduct of ministers holding office should be beyond any suspicion. “A minister facing allegations of serious criminal offences, arrested and detained in custody, may undermine constitutional morality and principles of good governance, and ultimately diminish the constitutional trust reposed by the people in him.”
The statement further notes that since the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) lacks provisions for the removal of the Chief Minister or a minister arrested and detained on serious criminal charges, there is a need to amend section 54 of the Act to establish a legal framework for their removal in such cases.
The listing of the bill has sparked intense speculation about the potential restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
About the Author
Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero …Read More
Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero … Read More
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