DB seeks fresh status reports on criminal cases against MPs, MLAs

07/08/2026

JAMMU, Aug 6: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the governments of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to file updated status reports on criminal cases pending investigation or trial against sitting and former Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani passed the direction while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation titled Court on its Own Motion versus Union of India and Others.
During the hearing, the Bench noted that the last status report filed by the Home Department of Jammu & Kashmir was dated July 30, 2025, while the corresponding report submitted by the Home Department of Ladakh was filed on February 17, 2023.
Observing that considerable time had elapsed since the filing of the reports and that there must have been significant progress in the pending cases, the Bench directed both Union Territories to place fresh status reports before the court by the next date of hearing.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on September 9.
Advocate Rehana Qayoom appeared on behalf of Deputy Solicitor General of India T.M. Shamsi, while Advocate Maha Majeed represented Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin Qadri.
The proceedings are part of the High Court's continuing monitoring of criminal cases involving elected representatives in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court in Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay versus Union of India. The apex court had directed all High Courts to register suo motu proceedings and constitute Special Benches to monitor the expeditious disposal of criminal cases against sitting and former MPs and MLAs.
The Supreme Court had observed that such cases have a direct bearing on the health of political democracy and require priority. It had also directed designated courts to accord first priority to cases involving offences punishable with death or life imprisonment, followed by offences carrying a sentence of five years or more, while discouraging unnecessary adjournments.
The fresh reports sought by the High Court are expected to indicate the current status of investigations and trials, the number of cases disposed of since the earlier reports and the reasons for delay in matters that continue to remain pending.

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