In Brief
A Municipal Councillor in Maharashtra was disqualified after her husband constructed unauthorized structures. The Supreme Court upheld the disqualification, holding that Section 44(1)(e) of the Maharashtra Municipal Council Act, 1965 permits disqualification if the Councillor, spouse, or dependent carries out illegal or unauthorized construction—regardless of the Councillor's knowledge or involvement. The Court rejected arguments that prior criminal conviction was necessary or that the statute required the Councillor's participation. It clarified that disqualification follows from the illegal nature of the construction itself when made by close family members, reflecting legislative intent to maintain probity among elected officials.
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