Supreme Court To Hear Plea On Speedy Trial Against MPs, MLAs Soon, Nearly 5,000 Cases Pending

According to the recent report, a total of 4,984 cases are pending against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly/Council out of which 1,899 cases are more than five years old.

The Supreme Court today agreed to hear after April 15 a plea which has sought expeditious trial of criminal cases against lawmakers and speedy investigation by the CBI and other agencies.

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana was urged by senior advocate and amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria that the plea needed to be listed for urgent hearing as despite various directions of the top court on expeditious trial of politicians, nearly 2000 cases are pending trial for the last five years.

At the outset, Mr Hansaria sought an urgent interim order saying that a detailed 16th report on pendency of trials against lawmakers in the country has been filed and as per it, many criminal cases are pending in lower courts.

"Outside they can wait for years. No problem. When it comes to the Supreme Court and you enter into the Supreme Court, it (the case) will become very urgent," said the bench which also comprised justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli.