Madras High Court Orders Expedited Trial for MPs and MLAs Criminal Cases

Court Directs Swift Proceedings to Overcome Judicial Delays in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

The Madras High Court has taken a significant step towards ensuring expedited judicial processes for pending criminal cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In a suo motu writ petition, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan issued directives aimed at prioritizing and hastening the trial proceedings in these cases, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding unnecessary delays.

During the hearing, it was brought to the court's attention by the amicus curiae that as of September 30, 2025, a total of 216 criminal cases remain pending against current and former MPs and MLAs across Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Specifically, 193 cases are pending in Tamil Nadu and 23 in Puducherry. The court acknowledged the significant backlog and the impact of interim orders from higher courts as primary reasons for the prolonged pendency of these trials.

The High Court has directed the concerned trial courts to expedite all cases that have not been stayed by higher courts. Special emphasis has been placed on cases pending for over five years, with instructions to avoid granting unnecessary adjournments. Furthermore, the court mandated that cases where a charge sheet has been filed but charges have yet to be framed be prioritized to ensure swift framing of charges and subsequent proceedings.

The court also stressed the importance of concluding evidence promptly once charges are framed, directing trial courts to ensure that witness examinations are not delayed by adjournments. In an effort to facilitate speedy trials, the court underscored the need for adequate infrastructure in courts handling MPs and MLAs cases. The Registrar General has been tasked with assessing the adequacy of existing digital and other infrastructure facilities, ensuring they are not a bottleneck in the expedited trial process.

The court has set a deadline for submitting a comprehensive list of cases where interim orders have been granted by the High Court, to be presented within two weeks. These cases will be reviewed to determine appropriate directions for resolving the pendency caused by such interim orders.

This judgment marks a pivotal move by the judiciary to address the issue of delayed justice in high-profile cases involving public representatives, aiming to uphold the integrity and efficiency of the judicial process.

Bottom Line:

Expedite the trial of pending criminal cases involving MPs and MLAs, with directions issued to trial courts for avoiding delays and ensuring swift judicial proceedings.

Statutory provision(s): Criminal cases against MPs and MLAs

Suo Motu v. State of Tamil Nadu, (Madras)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2808369