NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to frame a scheme to set up 'special courts' for the
speedy trial of cases+
pending against MPs and MLAs.
The top court+ said this after the Centre indicated that it was not averse to creating such courts.
It also asked the government to indicate the amount of funds that can be earmarked for the setting up of the courts.
These courts will be created on the lines of fast-track courts for the swift handling of cases against elected representatives, reported ANI.
The Centre, however, refused to take a stand on a proposed life-ban on convicted elected representatives and instead told the court that the issue was "under consideration."
The apex court also asked the government to share with it information on how many of the 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as per data from 2014, had been disposed of within one year, and how many had ended in conviction and acquittal, reported PTI.
It also sought details of the criminal cases lodged against politicians between 2014 and 2017.
The Election Commission (EC) had today told the SC that MPs and MLAs convicted in criminal cases must be banned from contesting elections for life, to curb the "growing criminalisation of politics" in the country.
The Commission clarified its stand after the court raised the issue of how the EC could remain silent on such an important issue.
If implemented, this ban will replace the six-year bar on convicted lawmakers from contesting polls, which is currently in place. According to the petitioners in the matter, the provision of the present Representation of the People (RP) Act is unconstitutional.
Their assertion is that since the members of the executive and judiciary convicted in criminal cases face termination of employment and are barred from the profession for life, the same should apply to members of legislative bodies.
(With inputs from agencies)
The top court+ said this after the Centre indicated that it was not averse to creating such courts.
It also asked the government to indicate the amount of funds that can be earmarked for the setting up of the courts.
These courts will be created on the lines of fast-track courts for the swift handling of cases against elected representatives, reported ANI.
The Centre, however, refused to take a stand on a proposed life-ban on convicted elected representatives and instead told the court that the issue was "under consideration."
The apex court also asked the government to share with it information on how many of the 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as per data from 2014, had been disposed of within one year, and how many had ended in conviction and acquittal, reported PTI.
It also sought details of the criminal cases lodged against politicians between 2014 and 2017.
The Election Commission (EC) had today told the SC that MPs and MLAs convicted in criminal cases must be banned from contesting elections for life, to curb the "growing criminalisation of politics" in the country.
The Commission clarified its stand after the court raised the issue of how the EC could remain silent on such an important issue.
If implemented, this ban will replace the six-year bar on convicted lawmakers from contesting polls, which is currently in place. According to the petitioners in the matter, the provision of the present Representation of the People (RP) Act is unconstitutional.
Their assertion is that since the members of the executive and judiciary convicted in criminal cases face termination of employment and are barred from the profession for life, the same should apply to members of legislative bodies.
(With inputs from agencies)
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