SC to hear PIL on candidates with criminal antecedents

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a PIL seeking direction to the Election Commission to deregister political parties not disclosing details pertaining to criminal cases of their candidates along with reason for such selection.

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana, said, "Can we prevent persons who have cases against them from filing nomination?" as it agreed to consider the petition moved by a BJP leader and advocate and give it a hearing.

"You mentioned the matter before us and we will consider it," the court told petitioner, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, as he mentioned the public interest litigation before the bench.

Upadhyay sought an urgent listing of his matter as he added that nomination process and other mechanisms for the upcoming elections for five state assemblies have already started.

He mentioned before the apex court that political parties are allegedly violating its two earlier judgements.

The CJI is yet to fix a date for the hearing.

Assembly polls will start from February 10 in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Goa and Uttarakhand on February 14, Punjab will cast votes on February 20, while Manipur on February 27 and March 3. It will be a seven-phase poll in UP ending on March 7. (UNI)