Apex court ordered the Bihar to set up special courts in every district in context for the trial of pending criminal cases against the former and present Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Along with Bihar, Kerala government has received the same order by Supreme Court.
A bench comprised of Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice K.M. Joseph passed directions for setting up special courts in every district of the state. The compliance report is expected to be submitted by 14th December. After setting up of special courts in all districts, judges would be appointed by the high court. At present the hearing of such cases are carried out in Patna high court.
This decision by the apex court came up during a hearing of the PIL filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay seeking a life time ban on elected representatives convicted in criminal cases.
The Supreme Court was informed by Amicus Curiae (Friends of Court) Vijay Hansaria and Sneha Kalita that there were 4122 pending cases against MPs and MLAs. In 264 cases, the trial has been halted by the high court. In Bihar alone, there are 304 pending trial against the elected representatives. These directions are aimed at a court with a special function in each district both at session and magistrate level to treat the pending criminal cases on daily basis with utmost priority.
