New Delhi: In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to rid Parliament of tainted MPs and the Supreme Court’s order to this effect, the Union home ministry has, in the first such advisory of its kind, written to all states directing that all cases against sitting MPs and MLAs be identified and fast-tracked.
For this purpose, the MHA has advised the states to name special public prosecutors for cases against the elected representatives and hold trials on a day-to-day basis. The advisory was sent by home secretary Anil Goswami on June 24 to the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories.
Also Read: MHA wants states' report on tainted MPs in 30 days
“Sitting MPs and MLAs who have charges framed against them for offences are specified in Section 8(1), 8(2) and 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act... trials shall be concluded as speedily and expeditiously as possible, and in no case later than one year from the date of framing of charges. In such cases, as far as possible, the trial shall be conducted on a day-to-day basis,” the letter says.
The MHA also advised states all legal procedures and requirements be completed and the prosecution should ensure there is no delay in producing witnesses, and collecting medical or forensic reports.
