The Jharkhand High Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a detailed report on the criminal cases pending against MPs and MLAs of the state.
The court has asked the probe agency to file the status report through an affidavit.
During the hearing, the court also sought a reason from the federal probe agency for the delay in the submission of cases and presentation of witnesses before the court.
"What is the status of the trials and the reasons for the delay? How many cases are still pending against the MPs and MLAs?" the court observed during the hearing.
According to advocate Dhiraj Kumar, the next hearing will take place on April 16 in connection with the matter.
Notably, after the Supreme Court's directions for a speedy disposal of cases pending against lawmakers, as many as six MP/ MLA courts in Jharkhand are hearing criminal cases against public representatives.
The hearing started after the court took cognisance of the pending cases against public representatives at its initiative.
The declaration and affidavit filed by candidates during the nominations for Assembly elections revealed that 41 out of 81 MLAs have criminal cases pending against them.
It is 51 per cent of the total strength of the house.
Around 167 cases are pending in court against incumbent and former MPs and MLAs.
Published By:
Sudeep Lavania
Published On:
Apr 13, 2024
English (US) ·