Lok Prahari case
Also called: Lok Prahari v. Union of India (2018) · Topic: Electoral Reforms: Money, Criminalisation and Simultaneous Elections · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Lok Prahari v. Union of India (2018) is a Supreme Court judgment on what candidates must disclose. It said candidates must disclose the sources of income of themselves, their spouses and their dependants, not just their assets. The Court also called for a standing (permanent) mechanism to investigate unusual growth in legislators' assets. The case builds on the voter's right to know under Art. 19(1)(a).
Example
Because of this judgment, a candidate's nomination affidavit must now show where the family's income comes from. If a legislator's wealth rises sharply between two elections, voters and agencies can compare the figures. The case is also cited for the point that a stay of conviction brings back a disqualified member's seat.
Don't confuse with
- Rambabu Singh Thakur case (2020): it put the duty on parties, not candidates. Parties must publish a chosen candidate's criminal record within 48 hours, with reasons for picking them.
Related concepts
- Criminalisation of politics
- Vohra Committee (1993)
- ADR case
- PUCL disclosure case
- Candidate affidavit
- Section 125A of the RPA 1951
- Rambabu Singh Thakur case