Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls, Supreme Court Expedites Legal Proceedings For MPs, MLAs Facing Criminal Charges

The Supreme Court of India has taken a decisive step to expedite the resolution of criminal cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs).

In response to a petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay in 2016, the Apex Court directed high courts across the country to register cases on their own motion and prioritise trials that could lead to death sentences or life imprisonment.

A total of 5,175 cases involving MPs and MLAs are pending across various trial courts in India, with 40 per cent of them pending for more than five years, according to a report by amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria and reported by Hindustan Times.

The court has emphasised the need for transparency and efficiency in the legal process, ensuring that high courts take an active role in monitoring and expediting cases involving elected lawmakers.

These measures are intended to streamline the legal process for elected officials facing criminal charges and promote accountability in the country's legal system.

The move comes as a response to the urgent need for an efficient judicial system to handle such cases, particularly those pending for over five years in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

With a substantial number of cases pending, this move aims to streamline the legal process and ensure accountability among elected officials.

The decision is expected to have a positive impact on India's legal and democratic processes.