SRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers or Ministers if they face serious criminal charges and remain in detention for 30 consecutive days.
Alongside, Shah also introduced the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The latter seeks to amend Section 54 of the 2019 Act to provide a clear legal mechanism for removing a Chief Minister or Minister under arrest or detention on grave charges.
The proposed amendment argues that allowing such individuals to continue in office undermines constitutional morality, good governance, and public trust.
The bill introduces a new Section (5A), stipulating that- A Minister detained for 30 consecutive days on charges carrying a punishment of five years or more shall be removed by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister; If the Chief Minister fails to advise removal by the 31st day, the Minister will automatically cease to hold office; and In case of the Chief Minister, he must resign within 30 days of such detention; if not, his office will stand vacated from the following day.
However, the amendment also clarifies that a Chief Minister or Minister removed under this provision may be reappointed once released from custody.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders are against the bills claiming it is “draconian” and can be misused to “destabilise governments”.
