The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes automatic removal of elected leaders arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges carrying a minimum sentence of five years. The draft law includes a provision for reappointment if the leader secures bail or is acquitted. The government presents the measure as strengthening accountability and curbing corrupt or criminal public representatives. Opposition members violently protested the bill's presentation, ripping papers and forcing the house suspension. Opposition parties, bolstered after the 2024 election loss of BJP majority, warn the law could be used to weaponize prosecutions and topple rival state governments.
The Indian government tabled a new bill earlier this week in parliament under which a prime minister, state chief minister or other federal or state minister can be removed from office if they are facing criminal investigations even before they are convicted. The draft law proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mandates the automatic removal of elected officials if they are detained for 30 consecutive days on charges carrying a minimum sentence of five years.
Even as Amit Shah, India's home minister who is widely seen as Modi's deputy, presented the bill in parliament, members of the opposition ripped apart legislative papers and hurled them at Shah, before the house was suspended amid chaos. The opposition, strengthened in the 2024 national election in which the BJP lost its majority and was forced to turn to smaller allies to stay in power, has slammed the bill as an example of undemocratic weaponising of laws against dissent.
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