In order to manipulate the law, the principle of jurisprudence that a person is presumed to be innocent till proved guilty in a court is being invoked to shield tainted politicians. The presumption of innocence relates to a routine criminal offence and not to unbecoming conduct of a person holding public office. Conduct amounting to a wrongdoing justifies a prohibition from holding public office.
In the case of a government servant accused of serious misconduct he is met with suspension till his case goes through a disciplinary inquiry and later to Court. In line with this suspension from service in case of government servants there has to be a bar to holding public office for elected representatives till the outcome of the cases against them is revealed. Ministers should not hold office once an F.I.R is registered against them more so a charge sheet. They will misuse their power and authority to manipulate their trial. This is exactly what has happened in the case of Goa Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane who Police Inspector Mr. Gurudas Gawade claimed he could not trace for almost two months to serve him court summons. As emphasised by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh the standard for those in public life should be that not only Caesar but even Caesar's wife should be above suspicion. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar