Union Home Minister Introduces Bills for Automatic Removal of Elected Officials

New Delhi, Aug 2025 : On August20, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three significant bills in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill,2025. This bill proposes the automatic removal of elected officials, including the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers, if they are arrested and detained for30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges.

The bill, along with the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill,2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill,2025, was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee following a voice vote. The Lok Sabha was subsequently adjourned till5 p.m.

The Constitution Amendment Bill aims to amend Articles75,164, and239AA, introducing a legal mechanism for the removal of ministers in custody for offenses punishable by five years or more. As per the provisions, the President will remove the Prime Minister, the Governor will remove Chief Ministers, and the Lieutenant-Governor will remove Chief Ministers of Union Territories.

If no resignation or advice for removal is tendered by the31st day, the office will automatically fall vacant on the32nd day. Reappointment is permitted upon release from custody. Home Minister Shah emphasized that elected representatives must embody public trust and constitutional morality, and their conduct should be above suspicion.

The introduction of the bills was met with resistance from Opposition members, who demanded a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls in Bihar. Speaker Om Birla admonished the protesting MPs, stating that their behavior was not appropriate and that the country was watching.

The Speaker urged decorum and emphasized the ethical intent behind the bills but was ignored by the Opposition members, who continued to shout slogans in the well of the House. The House was adjourned till5 p.m.

As the bills head to committee review, they have sparked a national conversation on accountability, ethics in governance, and the balance between executive authority and constitutional safeguards. The bills have significant implications for the country’s governance and will be closely watched by citizens and politicians alike.