SC Directs Setting up of Special Bench to Monitor Pending Criminal Cases Against MP-MLAs

The Supreme Court passed a significant verdict on Thursday, directing all high courts to establish a special bench and initiate a suo motu case to oversee pending criminal matters involving MPs and MLAs, ensuring prompt resolution.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud issued a series of directives to high courts and trial courts based on a PIL by Ashwini Upadhyay, aiming for the swift resolution of pending criminal cases against lawmakers.

Acknowledging the complexity of providing uniform guidelines for trial courts to expedite cases against lawmakers, the top court emphasized the establishment of special benches in high courts. These benches, presided over by either the chief justice or a designated bench, will monitor criminal trials involving lawmakers. High courts may engage special lower courts to provide status reports on the trials.

The judgement stipulated that trial courts should refrain from adjourning hearings involving Members of Parliament, MLAs, and MLCs unless rare and compelling reasons arise. Chief Justice Chandrachud, while pronouncing the judgement, directed principal district and sessions judges to ensure adequate infrastructure and technological facilities for special courts designated for trying lawmakers.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed through lawyer Ashwani Dubey, seeking a life-term ban on politicians upon conviction in criminal cases. The PIL also sought remedies such as expeditious trials for accused lawmakers and the establishment of special courts nationwide for this purpose.