HC transfers 500 pending criminal cases against MPs, MLAs to special court for speedy disposal

Over 500 pending criminal cases against MPs and MLAs in the state were transferred to a special court, the Allahabad High Court said Monday, adding that the remaining ones would be transferred within 15 days for speedy disposal.

A two-judge bench said out of an estimated 800-900 pending criminal cases against elected representatives in the state, more than 500 were transferred to a special court ( MP/MLA) formed for speedy disposal of criminal cases against legislators.

Hopefully, all such cases would be transferred to the special court within 15 days, it said.

The bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Suraj Kumar Yadav of Jaunpur seeking speedy disposal of criminal cases against Indra Pratap Tiwari alias Khaboo, BJP MLA from Gosaiganj seat.

The court said that to ensure compliance of Supreme Court order for speedy disposal of criminal cases pending against MPs/MLAs, a special court has already been set up which is functioning at Allahabad and various directions had been passed on the administrative side of the court in this regard.

The bench directed petitioner's counsel to make Registrar General of High Court as a party to the case and directed the state government and the Registrar General to appraise it in the issue on the next date of hearing. The case will be heard after two weeks.

(With inputs from agencies.)