Expedite Cases on MPs, Says PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law to devise a mechanism to expedite the criminal cases against parliamentarians within one year.

Sources said the Law and Home ministries will prepare a roadmap for speedy trial of cases and will also monitor the investigation against the lawmakers in coordination with the concerned State agencies.

“The cases against politicians will be given highest priority and a mechanism will ensure that the trial is not delayed due to lack of documents or not producing witnesses,” sources said.

The Home Ministry was of the view that the trials should conclude as speedily and expeditiously as possible. It added that no case should be pending against MPs and MLAs charged under sections 8(1), 8(2) and 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act for more than one year from the date of framing of charges. If a sitting MP or MLA is convicted of charges under the above sections, he or she would be disqualified and the seat would be declared vacant.

Modi in his election campaign had promised to decriminalise politics if voted to power. He had also said that in five years, Parliament would be taint-free.

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The New Indian Express
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