Cases Against MPs, MLAs: Punjab and Haryana High Court Seeks Details Of Cases By April 30

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday (20th April) gave a 10-day deadline to the Centre, State of Punjab, and Punjab Police to file their affidavits furnishing details of cases involving sitting and erstwhile parliamentarians and legislators of Punjab. The Bench of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh took into account the submission made by the Additional Solicitor-General of India that he required another one weeks' time to respond to the court's previous order dated February 25. Thus, the Court directed, "He shall be at liberty to file an affidavit on or before the next date of hearing". Further, the Bench also directed Punjab's Additional Advocate General and State's Inspector-General of Police, Crime, Arun Pal Singh, to file an affidavit in the matter and the case was posted for further hearing on April 30. It may be noted that on the previous day of the hearing, the division had taken cognizance of cases pending against MPs, MLAs and had directed all the District and Sessions Judges to send information regarding pending cases against MLAs, MPs in CWP No. (PIL)-29-2021 titled Court on its own motion versus State of Punjab. The Court's has been clear in its intent to fast-track cases involving sitting and erstwhile MPs and legislators of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh by not only seeking details of pending matters, but also issuing directions for their expeditious disposal. It may be noted that a writ petition was filed before the Supreme Court to reduce the criminalization of politics and to rationalize criminal prosecution of elected representatives. The petitioner had urged the Supreme Court to issue direction to provide adequate infrastructure to set up Special Courts to decide criminal cases related to people representatives. The petitioner had also requested for issuance of directions for implementation of "Important Electoral Reforms" proposed by Election Commission, law commission, and national commission to review the working of the constitution and to set minimum qualification and maximum age limit for such people representatives. When the matter came up for hearing before the Supreme Court, the Court had directed all the High Courts to furnish the requisite information regarding all the cases (criminal) pending against legislators (sitting or former). Accordingly, the Division Bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court passed the following order: "In the spirit of the order passed by Hon'ble Supreme court titled as Ashwani Kumar Upadhyay Vs. Union of India & Anr. (supra), an Officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police shall be present on the next date of hearing to furnish the requisite information of all the cases pending against the MPs/MLAs (sitting or erstwhile) in the States of Punjab, Haryana & U.T. Chandigarh. A similar direction is issued to District Judges of Punjab, Haryana & U.T. Chandigarh to furnish details of such cases and to ensure their speedy disposal thereof. They shall also send a report regarding the stage of such trials At this stage, Mr. Khosla, learned amicus curiae points out that information may also be required from the Union of India, Central Bureau of Investigation, E.D. and other Central Investigating Agencies as the operative part of the order specifically mentions that trial of all the criminal cases instituted by the State(s) have to be monitored. As we have requested information from all the Sessions Judges in the three States, we expect that information as suggested by Mr. Khosla would also be furnished. Registry to examine the possibility of listing the matter on a date this court is sitting for a physical hearing. Learned counsel shall be notified of such date in advance." The bench had also sought information regarding cases pending with CBI, the Enforcement Directorate, and other Central Agencies. The registry has also been directed to submit the list of pending cases and see the possibility of listing the matter for physical hearing. Click here to read/download the order

Cases Against MPs, MLAs: Punjab and Haryana High Court Seeks Details Of Cases By April 30

Sparsh Upadhyay

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