Supreme Court asks Centre to constitute special courts for speedy disposal of pending cases against MPs, MLAs

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Centre to constitute special courts on lines of fast track court for expeditious disposal of cases pending against parliamentarians, MLAs.

The Apex Court also directed the Centre to submit all details regarding 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as declared by politicians at the time of filing their nominations during the 2014 general elections.

The top court asked the government to apprise it as to how many of these 1,581 cases have been disposed of within one year and how many have ended either in conviction or acquittal of the accused.

A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha also sought the details of criminal cases lodged against politicians from 2014 till date as well as on the disposal of these matters.

During the hearing, the Centre told the bench that decriminalisation of politics has to be done and it was not averse to the setting up of special courts to deal with cases involving politicians and speedy disposal of these matters.

SC asks Centre to constitute Spcl Courts on lines of fast track court fr expeditious disposal of cases pending against parliamentarians,MLAs pic.twitter.com/HPIypKwYF7

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2017

It informed the bench that the recommendations of the Election Commission of India and the Law Commission favouring life-time disqualification of politicians convicted in criminal cases was under the active consideration of the government.

 The bench directed the Centre to place before it the scheme for setting up of such special courts and also indicate the amount of funds that could be earmarked for the purpose.

The apex court asked the government to place these details before it within six weeks and fixed the matter for hearing on December 13. (With PTI Inputs)