NEW DELHI: As many as 51 MPs have been facing cases of money laundering lodged by the Enforcement Directorate and equal number by the cases probed by CBI, senior advocate Vijay Hansaria informed the Supreme Court.
In a status report filed in a PIL by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, he also told the court that 71 MLAs/ MLCs are accused in cases arising out of offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
"However, the report does not show as to how many MPs and MLAs/MLCs are sitting and/or former legislators," Hansaria, acting as amicus curiae, said in the latest report filed by advocate Sneha Kalita.
He said the report filed by CBI showed that total number of cases pending trial against MPs/MLAs are 121.
As many as 14 sitting MPs, 37 former MPs faced the CBI cases and and five of the accused lawmakers had expired. Total number of MLAs involved in CBI cases are recorded as 112. Among them are 34 sitting MLAs, and 78 former ones, while nine others had expired.
The cases punishable with life imprisonment are 58. The cases where charges have not been framed are 45, the report said, also pointing out cases of "glaring and inordinate delays".
With regard to drug cases, the report stated no criminal case is pending against any sitting or former MP/MLA in the Narcotics Control Bureau.
As per a status report by National Investigation Agency, four cases are pending. Out of which, two are against sitting MP/MLA.
The report also pointed out the Union government has filed no response in terms of the top court's order of August 25, 2021 for making available necessary manpower and infrastructure for speedy disposal of cases against MPs and MLAs.
Among his suggestions, Hansaria said a monitoring committee headed by a former judge, may be constituted for ED and CBI cases.
The report also pointed out the total number of cases pending trial as in December 2021 are 4984. Among them, the cases pending for more than five years are 1899, while those between two to five years are 1475 and those pending for less than two years are 1599.
A total of 2775 cases have been disposed of since October 4, 2018.
