The Orissa High Court has asked the State Government to file details of criminal cases pending against sitting and former MLAs and MPs of the State in different district courts. The order came while a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq was adjudicating a suo motu writ petition filed by the court’s Registry earlier this week. Pursuant to an order by the Supreme Court on September 16 on Special Courts for MPs and MLAs, the High Court’s Judicial Registrar has filed the petition. Advocate General Ashok Parija has accepted the court’s notice.
“The Registrar General of the High Court shall also file an affidavit with regard to infrastructure such as staff and building provided for expeditious disposal of the criminal cases and ensure early completion of trial of such matters. He shall also mention particulars of the cases in which proceedings have been stayed by the superior court, this court or the court of sessions,” the order said posting the matter to October 10.