SC Tells States To Ensure Special Courts For MP, MLA Cases Are Functional By March 2018 [Read Order]

List the matter on 7th March, 2018 by which time the Special Courts will be expected to be get functional in the light of the directions aforementioned. Giving a go ahead to the Centre in setting up special courts to deal with cases against MPs and MLAs, the Supreme Court has ordered all 12 proposed fast track courts to be operational by March 2018. The High Court, acting through the various trial Courts, will trace out from the case records the particular case pending in the files of the respective judicial officers under the jurisdiction of the High Court which are required to be dealt with by the Special Courts under the Scheme and thereafter transfer the said cases to such Special Courts for adjudication" Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General A Nadkarni sought more time to collect data on various cases, the infrastructure and appointment of judges for the special courts. Earlier, the Centre, in its affidavit, informed the court that the special courts would dispose of in one year all 1,581 criminal cases pending against politicians. Let the proposed courts not to be blocked.” On November 1, the Supreme Court had asked the government to come up with a scheme to set up special courts for trying criminal cases against legislators.