Expedite Probe, Trials In Criminal Cases Against MPs, MLAs: Madras High Court To State

The bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad gave directions on a suo moto petition undertaken by the court in 2020 to monitor the progress of criminal cases against the MPs and MLAs.

“Out of the 20 cases under trial, nine cases are at the advanced stage of trial. The cases which are pending for framing of charges need to be expedited. There are number of cases under investigation. The same also shall be effectively proceeded. Learned Public Prosecutor shall take stock of these matters,” the court said.

The Advocate General PS Raman had informed the court that 561 cases were pending against MPs and MLAs in the State for offenses under the Indian Penal Code and other Acts. With respect to cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the court was informed that 20 cases were pending at the stage of trial and nine were under investigation. It was also informed that nine cases were at an advanced stage of trial.

The court asked the state to expedite the trial in these cases and effectively proceed with the cases that were under investigation.

The court had taken suo motu cognizance to monitor the cases regarding the withdrawal of prosecution against MPs and MLAs since September 16, 2020 following a judgment of the Apex Court in Ashwini Kumari Upadhyay and Others Vs. Union of India and others. The Apex Court had ordered that no prosecution against a sitting or former MO/MLA shall be withdrawn without the leave of the High Court and asked the High Court to examine the withdrawals.