Order to bar those in jail from contesting polls 'erroneous': Sibal

The era of 'mistrust' in which the political class was dubbed as criminal is over , says Sibal

Courts are 'enthusiastic' to portray politicians as criminals, Law Minister Kapil Sibal said today asking them to be 'extremely careful' while delivering judgements which have an impact on the polity of the country.

'There is a general negative perception in the country that all politicians are criminals...Courts are enthusiastic to prove us so, even if we are not so,' he said while moving the Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2013.

Sibal's remark drew mixed response from the parties with Ravishankar Prasad (BJP) asking him to show respect towards the judiciary and SP members including Naresh Agrawal fully backing him on it.

'I have greatest respect for the judiciary and that is why we never make adverse comments against any judge or court,' he said in response to Prasad's remarks.

The Law Minister said the verdict of a court to bar persons in jail from contesting elections was 'clearly erroneous' as the matters or right to vote and right to be on electoral roll were being dealt by separate sections in the Constitution and till proven guilty, every one was to be taken as innocent.

'We are fallible, we commit mistakes and the judges can also commit mistakes...The judiciary should be extremely careful while giving judgements which can affect the polity of the country,' he said.

Noting that the 'delicate balance' between the various institutions of the Constitution has been disturbed, Sibal said there was an environment of 'mistrust' in which the political class was dubbed as criminal.

'The nation has suffered because of this and the delicate balance has been disturbed. We are partly to be blamed and others too might have failed. When we do not perform, the other organ steps in,' he said.