The government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court it will set up 12 special courts in a year to try criminal cases against MPs and MLAs, The Indian Express reported.

In the affidavit submitted by the Law Ministry, the Centre said the special courts will be set up at a cost of Rs 7.8 crore.

In November, the Supreme Court had given the government six weeks to submit a plan to set up these special courts. The bench had then said trials of MPs and MLAs should be completed in a year.

The court is also hearing petitions seeking to declare certain provisions of the Representation of the People Act ultra vires, meaning beyond the state’s power. These provisions bar politicians sentenced to a jail term of two years or more from contesting elections for six years from the date of their release from prison. The petitioners argue that they should be barred from contesting elections for life.