Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday approved the setting-up of eight special courts under the provisions of the newly enacted Madhya Pradesh Special Courts Act 2011 to combat corruption by those holding public offices.

"The state cabinet presided over by the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, sanctioned creation of 72 posts for the courts including posts of eight district and sessions judges for speedy trials of corruption cases. Two courts will be set-up in every major city in the state including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior.

Setting up the anti-corruption courts will cost the state exchequer a recurring expenditure of Rs 2.11 crore and a non-recurring expenditure of Rs 2.59 crore.

Madhya Pradesh Special Courts Act which came into force after the President's assent in the last week of December last year, empowers the state to file an application through the public prosecutor before the court for confiscation of property on the basis of prima facie evidence where it has reasons to believe that any government employee has amassed wealth by illegal and corrupt means.

After receiving the application, the court shall serve a notice to the persons accused in the application and summon them to explain their sources of income and assets and explain the means by which he amassed the wealth. If the judge is not satisfied with the explanation, the court would be empowered to issue orders for confiscation of the wealth.

Under the provisions of the Act, the Sessions judge or the additional sessions' judge is the officer authorised for confiscation of property. The Special Courts are being set-up for fast track hearing of corruption cases and dispose them within a period of one year,'' chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

A person aggrieved by the orders of the Special Courts can further appeal to the High Court within 30 days. Under the provisions of the Act, no other court is authorized to hear an appeal or for revision