India, March 5 -- A criminal today, a leader tomorrow - can democracy afford such irony? A fresh public interest litigation in the Supreme Court has reignited this debate, seeking a lifetime disqualification for those found guilty of criminal offences. With concerns over the rising criminalisation of politics, the question remains - can democracy afford to let lawbreakers become lawmakers?

Under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the length of disqualification depends on the conviction. In cases of offences specifically listed, if someone is fined, they're banned from elections for six years from the date of conviction. If sentenced to jail, the disqualification starts immediately and continues for six years after t...