The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and the State Governments on a petition demanding that the criminal cases pending against Members of Parliament should be referred to fast track courts.

The court has asked the Centre and the States to submit their replies within a month.

According to the petition, 162 MPs are facing various criminal cases, of whom 76 were facing charges of serious nature.

The petitioners include former Chief Election Commissioner, Mr J.M. Lyngdoh, former civil servants including former top police officer Mr Julio Ribeiro and former Chief of Air Staff, Mr S. Krishnaswamy.