The Supreme Court has set a deadline for lower courts to complete trial in criminal cases involving sitting MPs and MLAs within a year of framing of charges.

A bench headed by Justice R M Lodha on Monday said that trial courts will have to give explanation to the Chief Justice of the respective high court if the trial is not completed within a year.

The bench, however, said the period can be extended by the Chief Justice of the high court.

The court passed the order on a PIL filed by an NGO.