Ministry of Home Affairs wants states' report on tainted MPs in 30 days

New Delhi: The ministry of home affairs has asked states to set up a monitoring mechanism for cases relating to sitting MPs and MLAs headed by the state home secretary with representations from all the concerned departments. The MHA wants a compliance report from all states and UTs on its directive within thirty days. Even at the district level, a monitoring mechanism will be set up to ensure time bound trial of the cases.

“The police and other authorities should be instructed to ensure the highest priority be given... that the case is not delayed for want of production of witnesses or documents," the letter adds.

The MHA advisory further says that if for some extraordinary circumstances the concerned court is unable to conclude the trial within one year from the date of framing of charges, such court would submit the report to the Chief Justice of the respective High Court indicating special reasons for not adhering to the above time limit and delay in conclusion of the trial. "In such situation, the Chief Justice may issue appropriate directions to theconcerned court extending the time for conclusion of the trial," it says.

It can be recalled that Mr Modi, in his first speech in Parliament, had said that both houses of parliament needed to be made free of tainted members and added that decisions in all cases against parliamentarians should come within one year.

"Many members have cases filed against them because of political reasons. Those who are tainted should go, and those who are innocent should come out clean. We need to tell the world we have no taint on our parliament," Mr Modi had said.