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High Court initiates Plea To monitor pending criminal cases against MPs & MLAs

New Delhi
October 6, 2020

The Delhi High Court today sought replies from the Centre, the AAP Government and its own registry on a plea initiated by it on the Supreme Court direction to all high courts to monitor the pending criminal cases against MPs and MLAs. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice asking them to file affidavits indicating the steps taken pursuant to the top court's direction of September 16.

"Highlight the work done by you (Centre, Delhi Government and High court registry)," the bench said.

The Chief Justice also said that he has already given orders to appoint four judges in the subordinate courts.

The Supreme Court on September 16 had asked the Chief Justices of all high courts to forthwith list before an appropriate bench all pending criminal cases involving sitting and former lawmakers where stay was granted.

The direction came on a petition which was filed in 2016 and raised the issue of inordinately delay in disposal of criminal cases against former and sitting lawmakers.

The Supreme Court had issued the direction after observing that there has been no substantial improvement in disposal of pending criminal cases against sitting and former lawmakers.

It directed the high courts that in the event that a stay is considered necessary, the court should hear the matter on day to day basis and dispose of the same expeditiously, preferably within a period of two month, without any unnecessary adjournment."

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 condition should not be an impediment to the compliance of this direction, as these matters could be conveniently heard through video conferencing, the top court also said.