MPs can be arrested in criminal cases: Naidu

New Delhi, Aug 5 : Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday clarified that MPs are not exempt from arrest or detainment while the House is in session and such privilege is limited only in
civil cases. “I want to clarify a wrong notion among the members that they have a privilege from action by the agencies when the session is on… An MP does not enjoy any immunity from be ing
arrested in a criminal case during the session,” said Na idu c iting r e l evant constitutional provisions. He said that in criminal matters MPs were not on a different footing. “This freedom from being arrested when the House is in session is limited only to civil cases, not criminal cases,” added Naidu. MPs can be arrested in criminal cases: Naidu
T h e Ch a irma n g a v e examples of some previous rulings.
He said that the privilege endowed by the House does not excuse the members from responding to criminal allegations. House duty cannot be cited a s a r e a son to skip questioning, he said. Naidu’s clarification came following objections raised by Leader of Opposition
Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday on being issued a s u m m o n b y t h e Enforcement Directorate in connection with a National Herald case allegedly i n v o l v i n g m o n e y laundering when the House was in function. The Rajya Sabha witnessed heated arguments and
sloganeering over the summons issues to Kharge.

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