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Supreme Court curbs withdrawal of election prosecutions
The Supreme Court of India issues a ruling in State of Karnataka v. Prathik Parasrampuria to curb electoral inducements, money power, and political interference in criminal prosecutions. The ruling mandates High Court scrutiny for withdrawal of election-related prosecutions, sets timelines for investigations and trials, and prescribes procedures for cash seizures and compliance reporting.
SC ruling in State of Karnataka v. Prathik Parasrampuria:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Withdrawal of prosecutions | State governments are barred from unilaterally withdrawing criminal cases filed against election candidates simply because a new party takes power. |
| Investigation timeline | Investigations into election-related criminal FIRs must be fast-tracked with a target completion timeframe of 1 year. |
| Progress reporting | Periodic progress of investigations into election-related criminal FIRs will be reported to the Election Commission of India (ECI). |
| Special designated trial courts | High Courts must designate special courts for the speedy trial and disposal of election-related prosecutions involving candidates, sitting MPs, and MLAs. |
| Trial completion timeline | Election-related prosecutions involving candidates, sitting MPs, and MLAs must reach a logical conclusion prior to the next 5-year election cycle. |
| SOP for cash seizures | Static Surveillance Teams seizing cash over ₹10 lakh must record written reasons, establish a prima facie link to electoral offences, and forward the details directly to Income Tax authorities. |
| Compliance reporting | The ECI and state governments must file a formal compliance report regarding implementation of these directions on or before November 18, 2026. |