Over 4,000 criminal cases pending against MPs, MLAs: SC told
The Supreme Court was today informed that there were 4,122 criminal cases pending, some for over three decades, against present and former members of Parliament and legislative assemblies. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will today take up the issue relating to the criminal cases against the present and former legislators on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Read more.
Senior advocate submitted data received from states, HCs to SC
The apex court had sought detailed data on the pending criminal cases against the present and former legislators from the state and various high courts so as to enable the setting up of an adequate number of special courts for expedited trial in these cases. Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria filed the data received from states and high courts and submitted it to SC.
Several cases against legislators pending since 1991: Data
Advocate Hansaria is assisting the court as amicus curiae in the matter along with advocate Sneha Kalita. The data compiled stated that in 264 cases, the trial has been stayed by high courts. Further, the report said in several cases which have been pending since 1991, charges have not yet been framed. The PIL was filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay.
PIL seeks lifetime ban on politicians with criminal background
The court will hear the PIL, filed in September by Upadhyay, who is also a Supreme Court advocate, seeking a lifetime ban on politicians convicted in criminal cases besides setting up of special courts to expeditiously try such cases involving elected representatives.
