New Delhi: In a landmark decision, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court has declared that lawmakers, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), can be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act if found accepting monetary benefits in exchange for votes or speeches in Parliament or assemblies. This ruling overturns the 1998 verdict of the apex court in the PV Narasimha Rao case.
The ruling of the seven-judge bench unequivocally states, “An MP/MLA can’t claim immunity from prosecution on a charge of bribery in connection with the vote or speech in the legislative house.”
According to the Supreme Court, corruption or bribery by a member of the legislature undermines integrity in public life, and the mere act of accepting bribes constitutes an offense in itself.
The court further emphasized, “To grant any privilege unrelated to the functioning of Parliament or the legislature would create a class enjoying unchecked exemptions from the law of the land.”
Highlighting the significance of parliamentary privileges, the seven-judge bench elucidated that these privileges are intrinsically linked to the functioning of the House as a collective entity and are essential for its effective operation.
