India, Sept. 10 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Himachal Pradesh government to withdraw prosecution against some sitting or former MLAs in several criminal cases registered during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana noted that no grave or heinous crimes were alleged in these cases, which included those related to burning of effigies and 'dharnas' on highways.

The top court's order came while hearing a plea filed by the state government challenging a April 2024 order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. The high court had passed the order on an application filed by the state in 2023 seeking its permission to withdraw the prosecution in 65 cases against s...