New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) The Union of India on Tuesday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in connection with a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) indexed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Ashwini Upadhyay, seeking a lifetime ban on politicians, convicted of serious offences, from contesting and participating in elections.
In its 14-page affidavit, the Centre stated that it has decided to set up 12 special courts for the time being for at least one year to deal with cases pending against lawmakers. Almost Rs 8 crores has, it added, been assigned for the purpose of speedy disposal of the cases.
The special courts will decide 1,571 criminal cases, pending in various courts, against politicians across the nation, the Centre stated.
It added that the cases will have to be concluded in one year as per the apex court order.
In November the Supreme Court had in its interim order asked the Centre to constitute special courts on the lines of fast track ones for expeditious disposal of cases pending against parliamentarians and MLAs.
A bench, headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi, and also comprising Justice Navin Sinha, had asked the Union government to apprise it as to how many cases were pending against lawmakers.
UNI XC RP1726