Madhya Pradesh approves bill to seize corrupt officials’ property
By IANSTuesday, January 4, 2011
BHOPAL - The Madhya Pradesh cabinet Tuesday approved a bill to set up special courts for speedy trials of corrupt public servants and to confiscate properties earned through corrupt means.
Briefing media persons on the draft Special Courts Bill 2011, state Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra said the bill would be brought in the next assembly session.
According to the bill, pending cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 will be transferred to these special courts, which will be presided over by district and sessions judges and additional district and sessions judges.
The courts would try to dispose of the case within a year, and appeal against their decision can be made in the high court only.
The bill also proposes that if the state government is convinced that a public servant has amassed wealth and properties by corruption, it may make an application to the special court for confiscation of these properties.
Till final disposal of the case by the special court, the state government would have the powers to take action as per the provisions of the proposed act and full confiscation of the properties would be made in case the public servant is found guilty.
