Panels to fast-track cases against sitting MLAs, MLCs and MPs

Maharashtra government has decided to constitute district level co-ordination committees for fast- tracking criminal trials against sitting MLAs, MLCs and MPs, most possibly within a year from the date of framing of charges.
In addition to district committees, a state-level review committee was also being constituted, the government, in a resolution issued yesterday, stated.
"The Supreme Court has directed on March 10 this year that in relation to sitting MPs and MLAs, who have charges framed against them for offences ..., the trial shall be concluded as speedily and expeditiously as may be possible and in no case later than one year from the date of the framing of charge(s).

In such cases, as far as possible, the trial shall be conducted on day-to-day basis.
If for some extraordinary circumstances, the court concerned is being not able to conclude the trial within one year from the date of framing of charge(s), 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 a situation, the Chief Justice may issue appropriate directions to the concerned court extending the time for conclusion of the trial," the resolution said.

The resolution further said, taking into consideration the directions of the Supreme Court, Central Home Affairs Ministry has directed to constitute a District-Level Co-ordination Committee in each district for monitoring such cases.
"In pursuance of the directions... Maharashtra government hereby constitutes District Level Co-ordination Committee in each district for monitoring fast-tracking of criminal trials against sitting MLAs, MLCs and MPs which will comprise Principal District Judge or District Judge-I (Chairperson), District Magistrate (Member) and District Public Prosecutor (Member Secretary)," it said.
The resolution also said that District Committees shall create and update the list of all such cases pending trials against sitting MLAs, MLCs and MPs against whom charges have been framed for offences specified in the above mentioned sections of the Act.