HC seeks details of pending cases against sitting, ex-MPs/MLAs

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed all District and Sessions Judges across Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to submit status reports on pending criminal cases against sitting and former Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.

The directions were verbally passed in the open court this morning during the hearing of suo motu or “court on its own motion” matter in "Re: Special Courts for MPs/MLAs” for monitoring the progress of cases pending against the MP/MLAs. The court, at the time of taking cognisance in 2021, had made clear its intent to fast lane the cases involving sitting and erstwhile parliamentarians and legislators of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

As the matter came up for resumed hearing, the counsel appearing for the State of Haryana told the court that as many as 13 cases were pending against MLAs/MPs. It included one FIR registered this year, in which the challan had been filed. The Bench was also told that investigation was pending in 11 of the total cases.

Chief Justice Nagu orally observed: “People are looking at you… Had he been a common man, you would have finished investigation in six months and put him in jail… I will ask the DGP to appear virtually. Let him explain.” The matter will come up for further hearing on August 8.