Centre to set up special courts to try politicians

The Center informed the Supreme Court that it will set up at least 12 special courts across the country to try criminal cases involving MPs and MLAs. Currently there are 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as declared by the politicians at the time of filing their nominations during the 2014 general elections. These courts exclusively handle these ongoing cases on politicians and deliver speedy justice.

This decision by central government is the response to a Supreme Court direction in to the government to frame a Central scheme for setting up special courts across the country exclusively to try criminal cases involving “political persons”. Apex court opined that such an effort will cleanse politics of criminality and corruption. Initially central government argued that setting up such courts would depend on the availability of funds with the States. But Supreme court asked Center to have a central scheme to resolve the issue. Now the Central government said it had allotted ₹7.8 crore and framed a scheme to set up the special courts.

Some cases against politicians are taking several years to get the verdict. By this time, he or she would have served as a Minister or legislator several times over.It may take a while to have this proposal completely materialized, but if these fast track courts against politicians are constituted, ongoing cases against MLAs and MPs will get verdicts soon impacting the political careers of those leaders. There are several noted politicians like Gali Janardhan Reddy, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lalu Prasad, Madhu Koda, Kanimozhi, and Mayawati etc who are facing criminal cases currently.