PM, CM removal bill: Proposed law to be reviewed by JPC

The three bills that propose a law to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and other ministers in the States and Union territories have been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) by the NDA-led government. 

The bills seek the removal of the PM, CM, and other ministers in states and UTs, if they are arrested for more than 30 days in criminal cases that charge them with a jail sentence of at least five years. 

The bills tend to rely on an action on mere allegations, without being required to prove guilt.

The opposition has called them "a violation of the Constitution." As the Centre referred the bill to the JPC, and Amit Shah was looking to table the bills, the opposition caused a huge uproar in the Lok Sabha. 

The three bills include: The Constitution (One hundred and thirtieth Amendment) bill, The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. 

While pitching the bills in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah called it an "anti-corruption measure", moving with a resolution to send it to a committee comprising 21 members of the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, belonging to both the Government and parties in opposition. 

When the very first bill was announced, the Opposition stood up in protest. Assaduddin Owaisi called out the Government for amending the Constitution to "destabilise governments", while Manish Tewari said that one is innocent "until proven guilty".

The role of JPC 

The JPC will provide its recommendations to the Government regarding the proposed law. However, its recommendations are only advisory in nature and are not binding on the Government.   

For these bills, the committee is mandated to submit its report by the last day of the first week of the next session, which is scheduled after three months in November. 

The committee can also include experts, associations, or anyone who can provide valuable insights by sharing their thoughts regarding the matter. Currently, the "One Nation, One Election" bill is being undertaken by the JPC. 

Incumbent Chief Ministers such as Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren had been in jail for several weeks, accused of corruption. They alleged that the Centre was targeting them by misusing the ED and CBI.