Today, On 1st Aug, The Bombay High Court has been notified of 466 pending cases against current and former Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly in Maharashtra and Goa. Chief Justice Upadhyay plans to issue an order to expedite the trials and prioritize the disposal of cases. This proactive approach reinforces equality before the law.
Two renowned Supreme Court lawyers, Bansuri Swaraj and Haris Beeran, have become Members of Parliament. Swaraj won from the New Delhi constituency for the BJP in the Lok Sabha, while Beeran was appointed to the Rajya Sabha by the IUML, hailing from Aluva with a strong academic and legal background. Their election represents the fusion of legal expertise and political leadership.
The Tamil Nadu government today has formed a one-man committee to suggest changes to new criminal laws. Chief Minister MK Stalin urged the committee to consult stakeholders and submit a report within a month. The laws, criticized for lack of proper discussion, sparked protests nationwide. Karnataka also seeks state-level amendments. The Union Government passed the laws in haste and without proper consultation.
Yesterday, On 2nd July,The Madras High Court prohibited lawyers from using honorary titles like “Lieutenant Colonel” in legal documents, emphasizing equality in the eyes of the court. Justices SM Subramaniam and C Kumarappan’s ruling aligns with Supreme Court guidelines, ensuring legal practitioners are equal before the law, regardless of external titles. This decision upholds the integrity and equality of the legal profession.
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In India, jailed politicians can run for office but lose their right to vote. Amritpal Singh, a jailed Khalistani separatist, is contesting the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency election. The Representation of the People Act disqualifies convicts, not undertrials, from elections. Several politicians, including Rahul Gandhi, have run for office while incarcerated. The Supreme Court is considering expediting trials of criminal cases against lawmakers. Over 4,900 cases are pending against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly/Council, with nearly 1,900 of these cases being over five years old.
The Jharkhand High Court directed the CBI to provide a detailed report on ongoing criminal cases involving MPs and MLAs, emphasizing transparency and accountability. The court inquired about delays in submitting cases and presenting witnesses. Six MP/MLA courts actively addressing criminal cases against public officials as per directions from the Supreme Court.
The Delhi High Court directed judges to give priority to criminal cases involving MPs and MLAs, aiming for swift and efficient resolution. The court also instructed the registry to re-allocate pending cases and disseminate the judgment to other judges. Special MP/MLA courts were advised to prioritize cases punishable by death or life imprisonment.=”__JETPACK_AI_ERROR__”
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, recently emphasized that the three proposed bills aiming to revamp India’s criminal law are designed to ensure justice rather than mete out punishment. These bills, introduced by Shah on August 11 during the last day of the Monsoon Session, are set to replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the […]