Furnish Status On Pending Criminal Cases Against MPs, MLAs: HC Tells Odisha Govt

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to furnish the details of the criminal cases pending against the sitting and former MPs and MLAs.

The division bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice BR Sarangi has issued the directive in response to a writ petition registered suo motu by the Registrar (Judicial) regarding special courts for MPs and MLAs in pursuance of the directive of the Supreme Court on September 16.

The apex court has directed High Courts to complete pending criminal trials against sitting and former MPs and MLAs across the country in a time-bound manner.

The bench directed the Registry to provide a required number of copies of the writ petition to the Registrar (Judicial) to enable the Advocate General to obtain instructions and file details of the criminal cases pending before different courts in all the districts.

“The Registrar General, Orissa High Court, Cuttack shall also file an affidavit with regard to infrastructure, such as staff, building etc. provided for expeditious disposal of the criminal cases and ensure ear completion of trial of such matters. He shall also mention the particulars of the cases in which proceedings have been stayed by the superior court, High Court or the Sessions court”, the bench ruled and fixed October 19 as the next date for hearing on the matter.