The Supreme Court today refused a request to disqualify legislators facing charges of sexual assault, but asked all states and the Central Government to explain within a month whether they plan to set up fast-track courts to handle rape cases. The apex court judges asked states and the Centre to explain if and when these special courts will have judges, how they will be selected, and what will be done to compensate rape victims. Today's directives are based on a petition filed by former IAS officer Promilla Shanker, which asked the Supreme Court to suspend all lawmakers from national and state legislatures who face prosecution for crimes against women.
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