HC reserves judgment on Special Courts Act

PATNA: A division bench of Patna High Court (HC) on Monday reserved its judgment in a petition challenging the Bihar Special Courts Act, which provides for confiscation of properties amassed by government officials through corrupt means.
Justice Shivkirti Singh and Justice Ravi Ranjan Sinha completed hear-ing in the case. The case was filed by ex-DGP Narayan Mishra and others.
Appearing for them, senior lawyer Chitranjan Prasad Sinha submitted that the Act was in contravention of constitutional provisions.Replying to his arguments, advocate general Ram Balak Mahto said that the Act was in conformity with the Constitution. It allowed appeal against confiscation of properties.
If corruption charges against any accused are ultimately found untrue, then the properties would be returned with five percent interest, he said.
Under the Act, properties of any official suspected to have been built by corrupt means can be confiscated after his conviction following speedy trial in a fast-track court.
This Act is considered a key tool in the Nitish government's war against corruption. Recently, a special court had ordered confiscation of the properties of a former motor vehicle inspector, which was widely hailed as a milestone in fight against graft.