GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court directed its Registry on Monday, December 9, to list 20 pending criminal petitions and criminal revision petitions involving sitting or former MPs and MLAs before a Special Bench within 10 days.
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This directive follows the Supreme Court’s previous order in 2020, which called for the constitution of Special Benches to expedite criminal trials involving legislators.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury issued the directive while hearing a suo moto writ petition in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.
The High Court further noted a report submitted on July 25 by its Registrar General, highlighting the pendency of 20 such criminal petitions before its Principal Seat. The report also pointed to cases involving legislators pending in the district judiciary but lacked information on progress or disposals.
“As per the report, these matters have been listed from time to time. However, there is no material available on record to indicate the progress made therein to date,” the Court remarked.
In light of the findings, three key directives have been issued:
1. Copies of the July 25 report must be furnished to the Additional Advocate Generals of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland within a week to facilitate their responses.
2. The Registry must obtain approval from the Chief Justice on the administrative side and list all 20 pending cases before a Special Bench within 10 days. The Special Bench is expected to ensure expeditious disposal of these cases.
3. For cases in the district judiciary, an updated status report, detailing progress and any disposals since July 25 is to be submitted.
The Court further directed that the matter be listed for hearing on January 28, 2025, to assess compliance and progress.