The Law Commission has sought 'special focus' on cases involving 'influential' persons to avoid long delays in investigation and trial.
It, however, also said any blanket direction to set up special courts when such personalities are involved should be avoided.
In its latest report, the commission says though there could be special focus on criminal cases involving 'influential public men', the steps to be taken should be part of a 'larger plan' to check delays and deficiencies in the legal system.
These steps should also ensure that trials are held without hindrance and hurdles. The report said the commission believes 'the cases of influential persons in public life need to come up for special focus (as) experience shows... long delays both in investigation and trial”.
The report noted that creation of more special courts to try such personalities was now engaging the attention of the Union government as well as high courts.
“Crimes allegedly committed by influential persons holding high offices in extraordinary situations such as the Emergency was held to be a justifiable ground to set up special courts. But any blanket direction to set up special courts wherever influential public personalities are involved ought to be avoided, especially viewed from the angle of Article 14 (equality before the law),” the report said.
The panel made several suggestions, such as sending a copy of any FIR on the involvement of nfluential persons in cognisable crimes to the district magistrate and district police chief.
“Investigations (in such cases) should be taken up promptly and completed as far as possible within three months and not later than six months,” it added.
The panel said MPs, MLAs/MLCs, sitting and former ministers, mayors, chairpersons of municipalities/ zila parishads, elected or nominated chairpersons (non-officials) of other public bodies and key office-bearers of political parties should be treated as 'influential persons'.