Expedite proceedings against MPs, MLAs: Hry to CPs, SSPs and prosecutors

CHANDIGARH: To expedite the trial of cases pending against sitting and former MPs and MLAs in Haryana, the state police has asked all police commissioners (CPs) and SPs to ensure presence of official and private witnesses before trial courts on given dates.

With this, the SHOs of the area concerned would ensure the presence of official and private witnesses in the court to depose in connection with cases against MPs/MLAs.

Even district attorneys (DAs) have been told to look into cases in which charges have not yet been framed despite submission of challan for a long time by the police and instruct public prosecutors concerned to make sincere efforts and ensure charges are framed against accused persons immediately. Police have also issued specific directions to field units to adopt scientific methods to conclude investigations in pending cases against such VVIPs.

At present, an investigation is pending against former and sitting MPs/MLAs in eight cases in the state. It has also been directed that if there is a stay on arrest of accused or in relation with any other issue, the same should be carefully examined and suitable steps be taken to resolve the issue. Under no circumstances, the probe should be stopped just on the pretext of limited stay order.

These instructions have been issued to police officials and the district attorneys of various districts in the state by the authorities after two review meetings held on March 6 and April 5. The meetings were headed by the DGP at police headquarters in Panchkula. Status of each and every undertrial case was deliberated upon in the meeting. After detailed discussion on aspects, dimensions and contours of issues involved, the officers concerned were conveyed about the new steps to be taken.

Apart from the eight cases whose probe is pending, there are 20 cases in Haryana that are pending for trial against former and sitting MPs/MLAs. Of the eight cases with pending investigation, six are being probed by the ACB.