Overview
- The Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi is scheduled to adopt its report on July 17 and is widely reported to retain the clause that would remove a Prime Minister, Chief Minister or other minister after 30 consecutive days in custody for specified serious offences.
- The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill would apply to offences punishable with five or more years in prison and would let the President or a Governor remove a minister on advice or trigger automatic removal on the 31st day of detention if no advice is given.
- Committee sources say the draft report will include recommended safeguards such as narrowing the list of covered offences and procedural checks intended to reduce the risk of politically motivated removals.
- Passage in the Monsoon Session beginning around July 20 is possible only if the ruling NDA secures a special two‑thirds majority in both Houses, and although the alliance’s numbers have improved since last year it is not guaranteed to reach that threshold without outside regional support.
- Opposition parties argue the measure violates the presumption of innocence, threatens federal balance and could destabilise non‑NDA state governments through extended detention, a concern that could trigger legal challenges and fast‑moving political consequences if the bill proceeds.