Supreme Court allows Himachal to withdraw COVID-era cases against sitting and former MLAs
The Supreme Court of India has permitted the Himachal Pradesh government to withdraw criminal cases filed against sitting and former legislators for minor offenses committed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court noted that these cases, which included protests and minor transgressions, did not involve significant damage to public property or injury.
Why it matters
This decision highlights the judicial approach to balancing legal accountability for public representatives against the unique, high-stress circumstances of the pandemic era.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) permitted the Himachal Pradesh government to withdraw criminal prosecutions against sitting and former legislators for petty offences and transgressions, including burning of effigies and dharna s (protests) on highways, committed during the pandemic period.
A Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, was hearing a State government challenge to a Himachal Pradesh High Court order of April 2024 allowing the withdrawal of only 15 out of a total of 65 cases against sitting or former MLAs. The decision to withdraw the prosecution was on the basis of directions issued by the Home Department in December 2022.
555 cases pending against sitting and former MPs, MLAs in Kerala
“There is nothing serious in these cases. There was no damage to public property, and there was no injury caused,” the counsel said.
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