The Madras HC has directed the Tamil Nadu government to expedite criminal case proceedings against Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sathya Narayana Prasad emphasized the urgency of the matter and have requested a status report by June 20th.
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CHENNAI: On Tuesday(2nd April), The Madras High Court issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu government, calling for the acceleration of proceedings in criminal cases lodged against Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) within the state.
The bench, presided over by Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sathya Narayana Prasad, emphasized the need for speedy action, further instructing the State to present a status report on these matters by June 20.
This decision originates from a Suo motu writ petition initiated in 2020, prompted by the Supreme Court’s directive for High Courts to oversee and expedite the investigation and trial proceedings in cases involving present and past MPs and MLAs.
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During the court session, Tamil Nadu Advocate General PS Raman and State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah revealed that a total of 561 cases against MPs and MLAs were yet to be resolved in the state. Among these, 20 cases are filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with 9 of them reportedly reaching an “advanced stage of trial.” The Court acknowledged these submissions, underlining the importance of speeding up the processes, especially for cases awaiting “framing of charges.”
“The public prosecutor must assess these issues. Additionally, several cases are currently under investigation, and they too should be diligently pursued.”
– the High Court asserted.
By addressing cases pending charges and those under investigation, the Madras High Court aims to facilitate a more efficient legal process, ensuring that justice is served timely. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the backlog of cases against MPs and MLAs.
Following the court’s recent directive, the Tamil Nadu government is urged to reassess its strategy concerning these pending cases. The instruction to submit a detailed status report by mid-June emphasizes the court’s determination to closely oversee the advancement of these proceedings.
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