PM Modi said that the judgement will ensure clean politics and help deepen people’s fath in the system.
(ANI Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the landmark Supreme Court verdict in to overruled the 1998 judgment that gave elected representatives immunity from prosecution in cases of bribery.
“A great judgment by the Hon’ble Supreme Court which will ensure clean politics and deepen people’s faith in the system,” PM Modi wrote on ‘X’.
His remarks came shortly after a seven-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India DV Chandrachud unanimously overruled the 1998 verdict delivered.
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The top court said that MPs and MLAs shall be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act if they accept bribe for their votes and speeches in Parliament or state assemblies.
“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,” the top court said.
The seven-judge bench said that cases of bribery are not protected by parliamentary privileges and the 1998 verdict is contrary to Article 105 and 194 of the Constitution.
The Article 105 and 194 grants legal immunity to MPs and MLAs from prosecution in order to give them freedom to work without fear.
“To give any privilege unconnected to the functioning of Parliament or legislature will lead to creating a class that enjoys unchecked exemptions from the operation of law of the land,” the court said.
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