Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed high courts to set up a special Bench to monitor criminal cases against lawmakers. It also asked special courts not to adjourn proceedings in such matters except “for rare and compelling reasons”.
There are more than 5,000 criminal cases pending against lawmakers in courts The apex court directed high courts, district judges and special courts to give priority to criminal cases against Members of Parliament, legislative assemblies and legislative councils.
“The learned Chief Justice of the High Court shall register a suo motu case titled as ‘In Re Designated Courts for MPs/MLAs’ to monitor early disposal of criminal cases pending against the Members of Parliament and the legislative assemblies,” said one of the directions passed by the Bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ashwini Upadhyay who sought early disposal of criminal cases against politicians.
The petition also asked for a life term ban on politicians upon conviction in criminal cases and setting up of special courts for this purpose in the country.
The Bench also directed high courts to create an independent tab on the website to provide districtwise information about the details of year of the filing, number of subject cases pending and the stage of proceedings.
“While monitoring the subject cases, the special bench may pass such orders or directions as are necessary for expeditious disposal of the cases,” the Bench said.
