Supreme Court pulls up Centre for failing to give details of cases against MPs, MLAs

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the "last opportunity" to Centre to submit detailed status report regarding details of pendency and stage of trial of cases involving sitting and former lawmakers registered with the Central agencies, the CBI, and others.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Vineet Saran and Surya Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: "We are reading these reports in newspapers. They (the government) don't send us anything. We get everything in the evening... we don't know anything".

The CJI said that in September last year, the court had granted time to Centre to file a detailed status report, then in October again, time was sought, and today, the situation is the same.

Mehta replied: "I agree we are lacking. We had filed a report yesterday on behalf of ED.. I emphasized the need to the CBI Director to immediately place it before your lordships."

At this, the Chief Justice said this does not work. "What else can we say to express our displeasure, we were told Centre is concerned about pending cases against MPs and MLAs," he added.

Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, appointed amicus curiae in the matter, submitted that it is disturbing as cases are pending for over 7 years.

The bench noted that it has taken up the matter after more than a year. (IANS)

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