NationalTuesday, 19 May 2026·The Hindu
Constitutional provisions cited on ministerial appointment of persons under investigation
An AIADMK MP cited Article 163, the Tenth Schedule and Article 142 while discussing ministerial appointment of a person facing investigation.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, AIADMK MP Inbadurai referred to Article 163, the Tenth Schedule and Article 142 while commenting on the constitutional validity of appointing a person under investigation as a minister.
Key specifics
- Article 163 was cited in relation to the Governor seeking clarification from the Chief Minister before administering oath.
- The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution was mentioned as the basis for disqualification in defection-related complaints.
- Article 142 was cited as the Supreme Court’s special power to remove a minister in a suitable case.
- Inbadurai referred to the 2020 Supreme Court judgment in the Manipur minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh case.
- The issue links constitutional supremacy, gubernatorial discretion and judicial review in ministerial appointments.
Exam lens
Polity questions may ask: Article 163, Tenth Schedule, Article 142, and the 2020 Manipur case. TNPSC may frame this as a match-the-following on constitutional provisions and their functions.