New Delhi, Dec 4 (TIWN / IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that criminal cases against former and present members of Parliament and state Assemblies involving offences punishable with life imprisonment would be taken up by special courts on priority.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Sanjay Krishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph gave the order after being told that there were 430 cases involving murder charges. 

The court also asked the High Courts to allocate cases against the accused lawmakers to the Magistrate and Sessions Courts. 

The order came in the hearing of a petition by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar seeking a lifetime ban on politicians convicted of criminal offences from contesting elections.