Considering the report submitted by Punjab and Haryana, mentioning the details of pending cases against sitting/former MPs/MLAs, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that there is no lack of intent on the part of the States, but it is a matter of support. Giving efforts are lacking. appears to be missing or at least backward.
The affidavits by both the states were submitted before a division bench of Justice Augustine George Masih and Justice Sandeep Moudgil.
As per the status report submitted by Punjab, the last date of hearing which was November 11 last year, 29 cases were pending for investigation. As per the latest reports received from all the regional units in Punjab, currently only 7 criminal cases are pending for investigation against MPs and MLAs (present and former) in Punjab. The status report of Punjab also mentions that a new case has been added which is registered against MLA Bikram Singh Majithia in Mohali. The status report mentions that cases have been settled in 23 cases, cancellation reports filed in 12 cases, challans submitted in 7 cases, and untrace reports filed in 4 cases.
After taking the reports on record, the Division Bench observed, “We will not say that there is lack of intent on the part of Punjab or Haryana, but the efforts and actions supporting the said intention seem to be missing or at least lagging behind.” The reports submitted indicate movement in the right direction but its momentum is increasing, cannot be said to be satisfactory by any stretch of the imagination.”
Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana prayed for some time to furnish the further progress and status in the cases pending for investigation. The bench allowed the prayer and posted the matter for hearing on March 28.
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