1. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s Supreme Court ruling eliminates parliamentary immunity for bribery related to voting.
2. The decision nullifies a 1998 verdict protecting lawmakers from prosecution for accepting bribes in Parliament.
3. This landmark ruling aims to uphold integrity in legislative proceedings and deter corrupt practices among lawmakers.
New Delhi, March 04: The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has overturned the immunity granted to parliamentarians against prosecution for bribery related to voting in Parliament.
This landmark decision reverses a 1998 verdict safeguarding lawmakers from prosecution for accepting bribes to vote or make speeches in the legislature.
Bar & Bench reports that the court emphasized bribery is not shielded under Article 105 (2) or 194 of the constitution as it undermines integrity in public life.
Henceforth, parliamentarians could potentially face criminal charges if found accepting bribes for speeches or voting on specific issues in Parliament.
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Chief Justice Chandrachud underscored that Article 105 aims to foster an environment conducive to discussions on critical matters.
He stressed that this environment is compromised when a parliamentarian accepts a bribe to deliver a speech.
Furthermore, he highlighted that an individual legislator cannot claim immunity as it pertains to the collective functioning of the house.
According to him, the integrity of the house is compromised when a member is influenced through bribery to deliver a speech.
