Speed up cases against legislators: HC to judges

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court has ordered all principal district judges to see that the proceedings in criminal cases involving the legislators are expedited and hearing is taken place on day-to-day basis.

The HC has also asked the principal district judges to monitor these cases closely and report about the development every fortnight. They have been told to mention the reason for any adjournment granted by concerned judicial officer, if any delay is caused.

The high court has issued a communiqué to this effect on Wednesday in response to the instructions received from the Supreme Court last month. The apex court had issued directions for speeding up criminal cases involving all members of Parliament (MP) and members of Legislative Assembly (MLA).

With the instructions, the high court has also sent a list of 98 criminal cases that are pending in various courts across the state against sitting as well as former legislators. There are in all 25 cases pending against former legislators. Kutiyana MLA Kandhal Jadeja and Jhagadia’s legislator Chhotubhai Vasava are facing five cases each. The cases against Vasava are under Electricity Act, and cases against Jadeja include two cases of Arms Act involving punishment up to life imprisonment.

Most cases lodged against legislators are for violation of public notification during public agitation. Former MLA from Mahuva, Kanubhai Kalsariya, is facing two such cases, and there are many legislators like him who are facing charges that are punishable with six months to three years in jail.

Out of 98 cases, there are 12 cases which are serious in nature in which punishment prescribed is either 10 years or above. There are two former MLAs – Chhabil Patel from Mandvi and Maheshbhai Bhuriya from Dahod district who are facing murder charges. Other serious offences include violation of arms act, attempt to murder, cheating, forgery and corruption. There are seven sitting legislators who are facing serious charges. Those who are facing criminal charges include former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi with two defamation cases; state home minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja with poll code violation case; Jignesh Mevani with four different cases involving minor punishment, fisheries minister Parshottam Solanki with three cases including a corruption case in Gandhinagar; food and civil supplies minister Jayesh Radadiya etc.

Three cases have been stayed by higher courts involving home minister Jadeja, minister Solanki and Kandhal Jadeja.