The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that except for the Speaker of a state Assembly and his deputy, no one else had immunity from the Lokayukta’s investigation in corruption cases. “Everyone else falls within the same category and cannot claim a privilege that is not available to the common man,” a Bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam said.
The apex court also set aside the Madhya Pradesh Assembly’s showcause notice to the Lokayukta for breach of privilege for summoning its Secretary and seeking certain documents, in the course of a probe into a complaint alleging corruption in a construction project in 2007.
Holding that the Lokayukta’s action was legal and did not constitute a breach of privilege, the CJI said, “any person, who is aware of breach of Prevention of Corruption Act is duty-bound to give info to the police.