Shimla: To fast track disposal of corruption cases, Chief Justice Kurian Joseph has issued directions to sessions judges at Shimla, Kinnaur, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Chamba, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra to hear cases under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on priority.
The chief justice has asked for drawing a timeline for disposing of all corruption cases pending prior to 2008 to be disposed off by 30th June 2011. A target of not having a case under Prevention of Corruption Act pending by more than a year has been laid.
The session judges have been asked to submit a monthly report regarding disposal of corruption cases while the High Court would be directly monitoring the trial and disposal of such cases.
In all there are 279 corruption cases pending before the session courts, with the highest number 53 lying before Session Judge (Forest), Shimla, followed by 52 cases before the additional sessions judge Kangra at Dharamshala, said an High Court spokesman.
The oldest corruption case in Himachal pending is for the year 1997 lying before the sessions judge Kangra at Dharmshala, the spokesman said.
For early disposal of corruption cases before the High Court, Chief Justice Joseph has designated Justice Surjit Singh to hear cases under corruption case on a daily basis.
Before the High Court, there were 120 corruption cases pending, with the oldest one pertaining to the year 2000.
“With this move, it is expected that within six months of reopening of the High Courts after winter vacations, the pendency could be wiped off,†said the court spokesman.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
