Cong MLA opposes in SC transfer of all cases involving lawmakers to fast track courts

A Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh today moved the Supreme Court opposing the mandatory transfer of all types of pending criminal cases against lawmakers to fast track courts set up exclusively to deal with cases involving MPs and MLAs.

The plea by Jitendra Patwari alias Jitu sought a direction that matters pending against lawmakers in courts set up under special legislations, like the Prevention of Corruption Act, be not transferred to the fast track courts.

The petition has referred to the apex court's December 14 order by which it had directed that 12 fast track courts, to be set up to exclusively deal with cases involving lawmakers, should start functioning from March 1.

The plea also said that such fast track courts should be established in each district of the country so that these matters could be decided expeditiously.

The matter came up for hearing today before a bench comprising justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha which issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh government.

The bench said that the main petitions would be heard on August 21. These petitions include one filed by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay which seeks that provisions of the Representation of the People Act barring convicted politicians from contesting elections for six years after serving jail term be declared ultra vires of the Constitution