The Apex Court said it would pass appropriate orders on the plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking setting up of Special Courts for speedy trial of sitting & Ex-MPs & MLAs facing criminal or corruption charges & debarring them from entering politics.
During the hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre, told the SC bench headed by Justice N V Ramana that it would welcome any order for setting up of Special Courts for speedy trial of sitting & former MPs & MLAs facing criminal & corruption cases.
He said that "The Top Court may, if it considers appropriate, fix a time frame for completion of trials in pending cases against sitting & former legislators".
In its last hearing on Sept 10, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the centre on the application (amended) filed by Upadhyay, regarding debarring of convicted MLAs & MPs from contesting elections for life.
The Supreme Court had earlier stated that if the MLAs & MPs are convicted for over two years, they will be debarred from the political arena for 6 years. However, the petitioner, Upadhayay wanted a direction that the convicted must be debarred from entering the political arena for life.
Appearing on his behalf, Senior Lawyer & Ex-Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Vikas Singh, said that MPs & MLAs accused of heinous crimes continue to be in the Parliament & even become ministers.
The Suoreme Court is likely to hear the matter again after 2 weeks.
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