Criminal cases against Indian MPs: Supreme Court gives notices to Centre, states

New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) India's apex Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the government at both the Centre and in the states on a plea seeking fast track court proceedings in criminal cases pending against Members of Parliament, saying it is "very disturbing" that 162 lawmakers are facing various criminal charges. A bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam said the matter required consideration and issued notices to the Centre and the state governments asking them to file their responses within a month. The court passed the order on a public interest litigation filed by J M Lyngdoh, a former Chief Election Commissioner of India, pleading that the cases pending against the MPs should be referred to fast track courts for quick disposal. Senior advocate Rajiv Dhavan, appearing for Lyngdoh, submitted that 162 MPs were involved in various criminal cases. Out of them, 76 were facing charges of serious nature and that they must be referred to fast track courts for timely disposal. Lok Sabha, the lower house, has a membership of 543, and Rajya Sabha, the upper house, a membership of 245, making for a consolidated figure of 788 MPs. PTI