Onus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep ministry graft free, says Chief Justice of India

New Delhi: Holding that the PM is the repository of constitutional trust, a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha hoped that the PM would not, in the national interest, induct such “unwarranted elements” into his ministry.

Expressing concern over the prevalence of corruption in high places, the bench, also comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Madan B. Lokur, Kurian Joseph and S.A. Bobde, said the repose of faith in the PM and CMs by people has expectations of good governance.

Legal experts said the verdict was “advisory” in nature and not binding. Meanwhile, a combative Congress said the “onus is now the Prime Minister” and attacked him over the “continuance of 14 ministers with cases against them” in his government.

AICC spokesperson Rajeev Gowda, however, faced tough questions at the regular party briefing about continuance of ministers facing criminal cases in Congress-ruled states like Karnataka.

“We will make sure that CMs of the party pay attention to the SC observations,” he said.