SCRAP LAW THAT HELPS MANTRIS, SAY EX-JUDGES

Retired High Court judges on Thursday demanded scrapping of Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code that allows withdrawal of prosecution of ministers.

Justice Chandra Kumar and Justice Lakshman Reddy and former RTI commissioner P. Vijaya Babau demanded that the AP government release a white paper on the withdrawal of prosecution in criminal cases.

“Section 321 of the CrPC has to be scrapped by the Centre. This is enabling the states withdraw prosecution even in serious cases. It is undemocratic to withdraw cases against the TD leaders,” said Justice Lakshman Reddy.

He said no case against opposition leaders was withdrawn. “On the contrary, cases under the SC, ST Atrocities Act were filed against them. We will be representing to the Election Commission regarding withdrawal of poll-related cases. There is some rationale in withdrawal of cases pertaining to the agitations for public causes. But lifting cases against individuals like molestation and attempt to murder is not acceptable,” he said.

Retired High Court judges on Thursday demanded scrapping of Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code that allows withdrawal of prosecution of ministers.

Justice Chandra Kumar and Justice Lakshman Reddy and former RTI commissioner P. Vijaya Babau had demanded AP government release a white paper on the withdrawal of prosecution in criminal cases.

Recently, the AP government had withdrawn cases against five ministers, Assembly Speaker and eight TD MLAs and several other leaders.

The MHA had written to the secretary, Election Commission on June 27 regarding the withdrawal of cases and sought action.

Mr Vijaya Babu said, “The Governor should immediately intervene and stop this.”

Justice Chandra Kumar said, “Those with criminal background are getting elected to law-making bodies. While NGOs are working against those with criminal background, the other hand government is withdrawing the cases.”’