Amit Shah tables bill to remove PM, CMs, Ministers held 30 days in custody
THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK New Delhi, August 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday introduced three key legislations in the…
Image: ANI
THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday introduced three key legislations in the Lok Sabha, including a Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at strengthening accountability in governance.
The most significant proposal seeks automatic removal of a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister who remains in custody for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, along with the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, were presented.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah proposed that the three bills be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. However, opposition MPs continued with protests, with some entering the well of the Lok Sabha and raising slogans.
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The situation turned tense inside the House when opposition members tore copies of the bill and threw the pieces towards Amit Shah, even attempting to turn off his microphone. Several MPs from the ruling side stepped in to shield the Home Minister and restrain the protesting members.
Responding to the opposition’s objections, Amit Shah recalled that he had resigned from his post on moral grounds when he was jailed in a false case, adding that values of accountability must be upheld in politics. Repeated disruptions forced multiple adjournments, and eventually, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 3 pm. The Rajya Sabha too was adjourned.
The J&K Reorganisation Amendment specifically seeks to insert a new Section (5A) in the 2019 Act, mandating that any Minister or Chief Minister detained for over 30 days on charges carrying a punishment of five years or more must vacate office.
If a Minister is in custody for 30 consecutive days, the LG must remove them on the CM’s advice by Day 31; if no advice is given by then, the Minister automatically demits office from the next day.
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A Chief Minister in the same situation must resign by Day 31 or else ceases to hold office from the following day.
The government argued that leaders accused of grave offences and held in custody compromise constitutional morality and good governance, eroding public trust. However, the amendment clarifies that such individuals may be reappointed once released, subject to constitutional provisions.
