A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Thursday said the place - whether inside or outside the House - where an MP or MLA accepts a bribe really does not matter.
Justice PS Narasimha, one of the Associate Judges on the Bench, said it is very difficult to escape the clutches of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, submitted that privilege or immunity of office under Articles 105(2) or 194(2) of the Constitution does not extend to MPs and MLAs when the action of receiving a bribe to cast a vote or make a speech is completed outside the House. Mr. Mehta narrowed down the issue simply to “whether bribery can be protected by immunity”.
