The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to expedite proceedings in criminal cases pending against Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the State.A bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sathya Narayana Prasad also directed the State to file a status report in the matter by June 20 this year.The Court issued the directions on a suo motu writ petition that was initiated in 2020 following directions of the Supreme Court to all High courts to monitor thepace of investigation and trial in cases against current as well as former MPs and MLAs.On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Advocate General PS Raman and State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah told the High Court that 561 cases against MP/MLAs were pending in the State.20 of these cases had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and of these 20, 9 cases were at an "advanced stage of trial," the AG said.The Court recorded the submissions and directed that cases which were pending for "framing of charges must be expedited.""The public prosecutor shall take stock of these matters. There are also a number of cases under investigation, the same also shall be effectively proceeded with," the High Court said.
TAGS: Madras High Court Tamil Nadu government criminal cases Members of Parliament Members of Legislative Assembly suo motu writ petition
