Supreme Court upholds constitutionality Odisha Special Courts Act-2006

Bhubaneswar, Dec 11: The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutionality of the Odisha Special Courts Act-2006. The act was promulgated by the state government to tackle corruption, which emphasizes seizure of disproportionate assets.

Jutice Dipak Mishra and Justice Anil R. Dave hearing a petition over the act said in the order that the act is flawless in seizure of disproportionate assets.

The Odisha Special Courts Act-2006 came into effect in 2008 in the state. And, two special courts were set up in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for speedy trial of corruption cases. Odisha become the first state in the country to promulgate the anti-corruption law.

The court can order for seizure of disproportionate assets as per the act during the trial of disproportionate assets case.

The implementation of the act was challenged by many petitioners at Orissa High Court since 2008. The HC in 2010 rejected all the petitions and said there are no errors in the seizure of disproportionate assets in corruption cases as per act. The HC order was challenged at the apex court, which upheld the orders of the Orissa High Court on Thursday.