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A day after the Supreme Court ruled that it was up to the prime minister to not induct those with criminal record into his Cabinet, Rediff.com examines how serious are the charges against some of Narendra Modi’s ministers.
Dr Harsh Vardhan
Ministry: Health & family welfare.
Age: 59
Criminal cases: 2
Dr Harsh Vardhan has been accused under IPC sections 147, 149, 186, 323, 325, 332, 353, 427 and the PPDA Act. A case was registered at Mandir Marg police station in New Delhi and the case is pending in the Patiala House court.
In the second case, Dr Harsh Vardhan has been accused under IPC sections 147, 149, 341, 427, and the case was registered against him at the Geeta Colony police station. Currently the case is pending at Karkardooma court, New Delhi
In both the cases, Dr Harsh Vardhan has been accused of rioting, unlawful assembly, obstructing public servants, punishment for voluntarily causing hurt, voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servants from duty, punishment for wrongful restraint, mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees, and mischief causing to damage public property.
If convicted: Dr Harsh Vardhan can be imprisoned for anywhere between two and three years.
General V K Singh
Ministry: Development of north eastern region (Independent charge) & external affairs overseas Indian affairs.
Age: 62
Criminal cases: 2
In the first case, General V K Singh is accused under IPC sections 185, 353, 147, 148, 149, 34. The case has been registered at the Parliament Street police station, New Delhi.
In the second case, General Singh is accused under IPC sections 500 & 211. The case has been registered at the Chanakyapuri police station, New Delhi, and he has been granted bail by the metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi.
In the first case, he is accused of obstructing public servants, assault on public servants, rioting with deadly weapons and unlawful assembly.
In the second case, he is accused of defamation and false charge of offence made with intent to injure.
If convicted: General V K Singh can be sentenced to two-three years in jail but if convicted under section 211 (false charge of offence made to injure), he can be sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
Jual Oram
Ministry: Tribal affairs
Age: 53
Criminal cases: 1
Jual Oram has been charged under IPC sections 143, 341, 283 & 341. The case has been registered at the steel plant site police station in Rourkela and cognisance has been taken by the court.
Jual Oram is accused of unlawful assembly, punishment for wrongful restraint and danger for obstructing public way.
If convicted: Jual Oram will have to spend anywhere between one and six months in jail.
Maneka Gandhi
Ministry: Women and child development
Age: 57
Criminal cases: 2
Maneka Gandhi is accused under IPC sections 394, 506 in both the cases.
She has been accused of voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery and for criminal intimidation. Both the cases are in Pilibhit. In one case charges have not been framed against her and in the second one cognisance has been taken by the chief judicial magistrate, Pilibhit.
If convicted: Maneka Gandhi will have to spend anywhere between seven and 10 years in jail.
Narendra Singh Tomar
Ministry: Mines & steel labour and employment
Age: 56
Criminal cases: 1
Narendra Singh Tomar is accused under the Noise Control Act and under IPC section 188.
The case has been registered at the special railway magistrate, Gwalior, and cognisance has been taken by the court.
He has been charged with disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant and creating disturbance
If convicted: Tomar will have to spend six months in jail along with paying a fine of Rs 1000.
Nitin Gadkari
Ministry: Road transport & highways; shipping
Age: 56
Criminal cases: 4
Out of four cases, he has been charged in three cases under sections 134 & 135 of the Bombay Police Act. Besides, he has also been charged under IPC sections 143, 341, 186, 448, 506 and 188.
All the cases are registered at Nagpur and cognisance has been taken by the courts except one in which the charges have not been framed.
Gadkari is accused of unlawful assembly, punishment for wrongful restraint, obstructing public servant, house trespass, criminal intimidation and disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant.
If convicted: Gadkari can get maximum of seven years’ imprisonment under section 506 whereas the rest of the cases can get him anywhere between two and three years.
Who are the other ministers with a criminal record? Await Part 2 on Monday!
Image: (top) Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses with lawmakers after the oath-taking ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi May 26. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters