Gauhati HC Directs Its Registrar To Present Status Report On Cases Pending Against MP/MLAs In Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram And Arunachal Pradesh

The Court also asked for stay orders coming in the way of an expeditious trial of such cases in the report.

The bench comprising Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury stated, “The cases pending against the MPs/MLAs in the 4 (four) States, viz. Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh coming within the jurisdiction of this High Court have been reflected in the table furnished in para 12 of the order dated 09/11/2023. However, we do not find any updated status report on record for passing fresh order(s) by the Monitoring Bench.”

The High Court registered a Suo Moto proceeding in terms of Supreme Court judgment which laid down certain guidelines for expeditious disposal of cases pending against MPs/MLAs.

The Court was of the opinion that a report from the Registry would be necessary to facilitate further order that can be passed in the Proceeding.

The Court directed the Registrar General to collate relevant information and present a status report indicating the following:-

(i) Number of cases along with the present status of the cases pending before the Principal Seat at Guwahati as well as the out-lying Benches of the Gauhati High Court, pertaining to MPs and MLAs.

(ii) Stay order(s), if any, operating in these matters coming in the way of expeditious trial/disposal of these cases with specific particulars thereof.

The division bench also ordered that a similar exercise be carried out with regard to the cases pending before the District Courts as well as in the Court of Special Judges in Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Court listed the matter for further hearing.

Cause Title: Designated Courts For MP/MLAs, Guwahati, Assam v. State of Assam (Neutral Citation: GAHC010133182020)

Appearance: 

SC T J Mahanta

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