Candidates can be disqualified if info not disclosed: SC

“Once it is found that it was a case of improper acceptance, as there was misinformation or suppression of material information, one can state that question of rejection in such a case was only deferred to a later date,” it said

The court said that at the time of filing the nomination paper, if a candidate leaves blank any column seeking information on criminal antecedents, educational qualifications and assets and liabilities, then it would result in rejection by the returning officer at the scrutiny stage itself.

The apex court referred to various earlier verdicts and guidelines of the poll panel to drive home the point that citizens have a fundamental right to know about their candidates.