In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has overturned a previous judgment that granted immunity to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in bribery cases related to their votes or speeches in the Parliament or Legislative Assembly.
Back in 1998, the PV Narasimha Rao case set a precedent, suggesting that lawmakers were immune from prosecution even if they accepted bribes for their votes on the parliamentary floor. However, a recent seven-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, unanimously overruled this decision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed this verdict, emphasizing its importance in ensuring clean politics and strengthening people's trust in the system.
The case in question involved the Congress Party, led by Narasimha Rao as Prime Minister, allegedly bribing members of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to vote against a No Confidence motion in 1991.
One recent incident highlighting this issue was Mahua Moitra's involvement in a "cash for query" scandal, where she allegedly asked questions in Parliament on behalf of a businessman in exchange for bribes, including gifts and money.
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that corruption among legislators undermines the core of Indian Parliamentary democracy. He argued that accepting bribes is a criminal act and cannot be shielded under parliamentary immunity.
The court's decision clarified that lawmakers who engage in corrupt practices, such as accepting bribes for votes or questions in the legislature, will not be immune to prosecution. This ruling aims to ensure that legislators are held accountable for their actions and are not treated differently under the law.
The Mahua Moitra case serves as a notable example of such corruption, where she was found to have provided access to her parliamentary account in exchange for gifts and cash. She was subsequently expelled from the party based on the findings of the ethics committee investigation.
Overall, this Supreme Court ruling marks a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in Indian politics.
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