Special Courts For Speedy Trial Of ‘Criminal’ Legislators: SC Issues Notice To Centre, ECI

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission (EC) on a PIL seeking setting up of special courts to speed up criminal cases against legislators.

The PIL, filed by advocate and Delhi BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, demanded that an order be issued directing the Centre to take necessary steps to debar persons charged with criminal offences from contesting elections, forming a political party and becoming office-bearers of any party. It sought a direction for providing adequate infrastructure to set up special courts to decide criminal cases related to members of the legislature, executive and judiciary within a year. Read Live Law story here.

The PIL also sought a direction to the Centre and the EC to implement ‘important electoral reforms’ proposed by the EC, Law Commission and the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution. It further sought a direction for the respondents to set minimum qualification and maximum age limit for members of the legislature.

Read the petition here.