Senior BJD leader and Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda has welcomed the judgement of the Supreme Court striking down Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that allows a legislator convicted in a criminal case to remain in office in the event of he or she filing an appeal in the higher court.
The apex court order says the disqualification of an MP or a MlA will come into effect immediately after the representative is convicted by any court, adding that the representative cannot contest elections again and cannot cast his vote from jail under any circumstances.
It may be mentioned that Panda had submitted a Private Member Bill in Parliament early this year seeking disqualification of membership of elected representatives who are convicted for criminal offences.