No immunity in bribery cases to MPs, MLAs: SC

The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, unequivocally stated that Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) would not enjoy immunity from prosecution concerning bribes for parliamentary or legislative activities. The ruling, extending to the Rajya Sabha and the offices of President and Vice-President, emphasizes equal application during elections.

Hindustan Times, a reliable news source, reported the court's assertion that parliamentary and legislative bodies, along with committees, aren't exempt enclaves, affirming that lawmakers are subject to laws they enact for the governed. The verdict underscores the principle that parliamentary privileges don't shield individuals from ordinary laws, emphasizing lawmakers' accountability.

The unanimous decision by the bench, including justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, PS Narasimha, JB Pardiwala, Sanjay Kumar, and Manoj Misra, stresses that bribery lacks protection under parliamentary privilege. The court contends that such privileges are collective and vital for the functioning of the House, but they don't cover activities like bribery.

This landmark ruling establishes that legislators can be held accountable for corrupt practices, reinforcing the equal application of laws to elected representatives in India's democratic framework.

सांसदों, विधायकों को रिश्वत के मामलों में कोई छूट नहीं: सुप्रीम कोर्ट।