SPECIAL COURTS TO TRY NETAS NOW

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I na significant development, the Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court it that has decided to set up 12 special courts in various parts of the country to dispose of within a year an estimated 1,581 cases against MPs and MLAs pending since 2014.

In an affidavit filed in response to the court’s direction to file a status report, the Centre said special courts are being set up at an estimated cost of ` 7.80 cr and on December 8, the department of expenditure, ministry of finance has given in- principle approval for the same.

The special courts are likely to be set up by March 1, 2018

On the query relating the stages of trial of these cases, the Centre said it was in the process of collecting information from the Election Commission and the states as law and order is a state subject.

On November 1, the apex court directed the Centre to set up special courts exclusively for pending up trials in criminal cases pending against 1,581 MPs and MLAs since 2014. The apex court had made it clear that the special courts should handle only cases involving the lawmakers so that trials could be completed within a year.

“Disposing of 1,581 criminal cases involving political persons within one year is directed by the Supreme Court. It is proposed to set up a total of 12 special courts across the country in various states to decide such cases. Their number for each state has been calculated on the basis of the 11th Finance Commission analysis that one such court can dispose of 165 cases per annum,” the Centre said.

However, in states where the cases are less than 65, it is proposed to try those cases in the existing fast track court with the permission of the Supreme Court.

AN ESTIMATED WHOPPING 1,581 cases are against MPs and MLAs pending since 2014