Convicted MPs and MLAs cannot stay in office, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down as ultra vires a provision of the Representation of the People Act, which protects a convicted lawmakers against disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal against their conviction in the higher courts. The court, however, said that its decision will not apply to MPs, MLAs or other lawmakers who have been convicted and have filed their appeals in the higher courts before the pronouncement of this verdict.