Michael Vaz

India is the largest democracy in the world. The total strength of parliamentarians and members of legislative assemblies in our country is 4896. Shockingly, 1765 MPs and MLAs or 36 per cent of our respected lawmakers are involved in 3045 criminal cases. That is the highlight of the extent of criminalisation of Indian politics; an extremely unfortunate state of affairs, for the simple reason that the very people who are involved in framing the laws for the welfare of the citizens are involved in breaking them.

Dreadfully, we are forced to believe that the politicians whom we had elected to lead by example and take the country forward are involved in some of the most dreadful crimes like murder, attempt to murder, rape, kidnapping et al. The Supreme Court being seized of this malaise had directed the government to transfer such cases to fast track courts and ensure that the trial be completed in a year. It is pleasing to note that the government has set up 12 fast track courts in 11 states, where the involvement of politicians in criminal cases is more, for speedy trial of the lawmakers on a day to day basis.

In the past it was experienced that the cases have been prolonging for years and the aggrieved persons are the worst sufferers noting that justice that is unduly delayed is akin to being denied to them. Such stringent measures against the elected representatives are needed lest they get complacent that they are law unto themselves. The Election Commission has rightly demanded that the convicted MPs/MLAs should be debarred from contesting elections, for when they represent the people they should at least have a clean image. The government should realize that it should be its top priority to decriminalise politics from India.

Institution of fast track courts is a step in the right direction and blissfully to that extent the country is steadily progressing on the right path. It is worth noting that realizing the importance of speedy justice delivery system the government has in the near past set up many fast track courts including those for expediting trial of cases against women, SC/ST, children and senior citizens which form the most vulnerable sections of the society. Presently there are 727 fast track courts compared to only 281 existing in 2015.