The Gauhati High Court has directed the Public Prosecutor to present a detailed roadmap to fast-track all pending criminal cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The court has fixed August 20, 2025, as the deadline for the submission of the action plan. The directive was issued during a recent hearing amid growing public concern over the slow pace of justice in politically sensitive matters. Official data indicates that Assam continues to witness a large number of unresolved cases against legislators, with Dibrugarh and Nagaon districts recording the highest pendency.
The bench emphasised that justice delayed not only undermines the rule of law but also erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. The court further instructed the state to explain its strategy for the prompt disposal of cases being heard in special CBI courts, many of which involve serious allegations and high-profile individuals. Despite their importance, several such cases have remained stagnant for years. In a significant move, the High Court has also ordered the Registrar to compile detailed status reports on two long-pending criminal cases before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Nagaon, both involving either sitting or former legislators. These cases, the court observed, have been awaiting resolution for an “unreasonably extended period.”
This judicial push comes in the wake of a Supreme Court directive to all High Courts to actively monitor and speed up trials involving elected representatives as part of a broader national effort to tackle the criminalisation of politics. The apex court has stressed that ensuring swift justice in such cases is vital for restoring public faith in governance and the judiciary