Cases against MPs, MLAs: HC warns investigating officers of action over unwarranted delay

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 27

Nearly five months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court made clear its intent to fast-lane cases involving sitting and erstwhile parliamentarians and legislators of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the Bench on Tuesday warned the investigating officers of initiation of action in cases of unwarranted delay.

The pendency of cases against Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Haryana’s former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also brought to the notice of the Bench comprising Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh.

Taking up the suo motu case “In Re: Special Courts for MPs/MLAs” for monitoring the progress of matters pending against the MP/MLAs, the Bench asserted it had impressed upon the investigating agencies of Punjab to ensure expeditious completion of investigation in all the pending cases against the MP, MLAs.

“In case this Court finds that there is any unnecessary delay, it shall have no option but to seek explanation of the investigating officers concerned,” the Bench added.

Appearing for the State of Punjab, Additional Advocate-General SPS Tinna submitted that Inspector-General of Police, Crime-II, Bureau of Investigation, had been nominated as the nodal officer for fortnightly review of criminal cases under police investigation registered against sitting or erstwhile MPs/MLAs.

Claiming sincere efforts to ensure compliance of directions issued by the Supreme Court and the High Court, Tinna added a letter had already been written to the field units in the State in this regard.

Haryana Additional Advocate-General Ankur Mittal submitted cases with pending investigation were being reviewed by nodal officer and Inspector-General of Police, Law & Order (Administration) Sanjay Kumar. Undue delay in investigation, if any, and the reasons for it was also being examined.

Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain brought to the Bench’s notice that criminal case instituted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (Income Tax Department) under the Income Tax Act was pending against Capt Amarinder Singh before Ludhiana Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at pre-summoning evidence stage. Jain added he would apprise the Court about further progress in the matters against Capt Amarinder Singh, Khaira and Hooda on the next date of hearing.