LUCKNOW: Elected representatives in UP, named in criminal cases and against whom charges have been framed, are in for a tough time. As per the Supreme Court's directives, and the state government is pursuing their cases rigorously and monitoring their trial at the highest level to take the cases to the logical end, confirmed the prosecution department.

"Following the directions of the Supreme Court for the disposal of the pending criminal cases against elected representatives, we are supervising our law and prosecuting officers to take the cases to the logical end against four MPs, two MLCs and 30 MLAs," director general of prosecution, RN Singh told TOI.

The DG said that he was holding video conferencing every Tuesday to brief the prosecuting officers at the district level and also protect the witnesses so that they didn't turn hostile and give leverage to the accused persons.

This is first time when a DG-rank police officer is holding video conferencing to ensure conviction of politicians charged for criminal cases. "So far, even filing a charge-sheet against an MP or MLA was a tall order," says a senior officer the department "but now achche din for tainted politicians in UP seem to be over.

Civil society group Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), after analysing the self-declared affidavits by MPs had revealed that in the 16 Lok Sabha constituted in 2014, the number of MPs with criminal background had risen to an alarming 34% of the total strength. Out of 403 MLAs in the state, 189 have criminal cases lodged against them.

It was in this background that Supreme Court directed the state governments to start speedy trial of those facing criminal charges to rid parliament and assemblies of criminal elements. The apex court directed that the cases against these elected representatives should be disposed within one year. It also asked the state governments to strictly monitor the proceedings.

CLEAN-UP ACT

UP has 189 MLAs with criminal records that is 47% of the total strength

In all, charges have been framed against 4 MPs, 2 MLCs and 30 MLAs

In the previous assembly, there were 140 MLAs with criminal background

There has been a rise of 12% in the number of tainted MLAs in UP

SC has directed state govts to dispose cases against MPs, MLAs within one year