The Centre, in a crucial development, emphasized before the Supreme Court that parliamentary privilege should not shield lawmakers from prosecution in bribery cases. The seven-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandraachud, heard arguments from Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Mehta asserted that bribery should not fall under the purview of immunity, except in rare instances occurring within the legislative house.