Patna High Court directs State to expedite adjudication of criminal cases against MPs, MLAs

The Patna High Court recently passed a slew of directions to the State government to speed up the adjudication of pending criminal cases against Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly (MPs and MLAs) in Bihar [In Re Monitoring of Criminal Cases Against MPs/MLAs of Bihar v. The State of Bihar]..A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S Kumar passed the directions while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL)..The Court was informed that 598 First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged in such cases, out of which chargesheet was filed in 520 cases..In cases listed for arguments and examination of defence witnesses, the Bench directed conclusion of arguments/examination within four weeks. The Advocate General said that the State would fully cooperate, and refrain from taking unnecessary adjournments..With regard to cases listed for recording of statements of accused persons, the Bench directed that the statements must be recorded in four weeks, and the trial must be concluded within three months..Taking note of 268 cases in different courts of Bihar where evidence was to be led by the prosecution, the trial was ordered to be expedited, and if possible, conducted on a day-to-day basis..The Bench asked the Director-General of Police, Bihar to file an affidavit indicating the progress made in each one of these cases within eight weeks and to convene a meeting of all the stakeholders, including the Director (Prosecution) ensuring expeditious conclusion of trial/disposal of these cases..In cases pending at the stage of framing of charge and commitment, the High Court directed that charges be framed within two weeks.For cases pending owing to want of supply of police papers, the Court directed police papers to be supplied within four weeks..The Division Bench took up 156 cases that were pending for appearance of accused. The Director-General of Police was asked to furnish exact information in this regard by way of a personal affidavit and the trial courts were directed to take all possible steps to ensure the presence of the accused..For cases pending at the stage of cognisance or investigation, the Court directed the Court and Director-General of Police to take cognisance and complete investigations within four weeks..The matter will be next heard on April 11. Advocate Helal Ahmad appeared for the petitioner and the State was represented by Advocate General Lalit Kishore..[Read order]