Delhi, 4 March: The Supreme Court, on Monday, made a significant ruling stating that MPs and MLAs do not have immunity from prosecution for accepting bribes in exchange for making a speech or casting a vote in the legislature.
A seven-judge constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud unanimously overruled a 1998 verdict that had granted such immunity to lawmakers.
The Chief Justice declared that bribery is not protected by parliamentary privileges and that the interpretation of the previous verdict went against Articles 105 and 194 of the Constitution. These articles specifically outline the powers and privileges of MPs and MLAs in Parliament and legislative assemblies.
The CJI further emphasized that bribery goes against the principles of probity in public life and cannot be considered immune under these constitutional provisions. This ruling is a significant step towards ensuring accountability and integrity in the functioning of our lawmakers, and highlights the importance of upholding ethical standards in public service.
