The court listed the matter for hearing on January 5, 2022.
Kochi:
The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to furnish details of all criminal cases relating to MLAs and MPs who were withdrawn after September 16 last year.
The details have been sought by the High Court as directed by the Supreme Court to all High Courts to examine the “validity, propriety and genuineness” of withdrawals made after September 16, 2020, in cases relating to former and sitting MLAs.
“The Respondents (State Government and Police) are directed to furnish the details of criminal cases withdrawn after September 16, 2020. The Respondents are further directed to furnish a consolidated statement, including those against the MPs/MLAs The reasons for the withdrawal of the registered cases are to be explained./ex),” the High Court said.
With the direction, the court listed the matter for hearing on January 5, 2022.
The apex court had in August this year directed that trial against MPs under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) cannot be withdrawn without prior approval from the respective high courts.
The apex court, in its August 10 order, had directed that no suit against a sitting or former MP/MLA shall be withdrawn in the petitions filed on its own writ petitions as per the Supreme Court order without the permission of the High Court. Will go
The apex court had said that the High Courts are requested to examine the withdrawals pending or disposed of with effect from September 16, 2020, in the light of the guidelines laid down by this court.
The order comes on a 2016 PIL by lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay, seeking a life ban on contesting elections, besides expediting criminal proceedings against MPs and MLAs.
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