Consider the following statements about the privileges of the parliament:

1. The courts are prohibited to inquire into the proceedings of a House or its committees. 

2. President, who is an integral part of the Parliament, also enjoys these privileges. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

a) 1 only 

b) 2 only 

c) Both 1 and 2 

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: 

• Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities and exemptions enjoyed by the two Houses of Parliament, their committees and their members. 
• The privileges belonging to each House of Parliament collectively includes prohibition of courts to inquire into the proceedings of a House or its committees. 
• The Constitution has also extended the parliamentary privileges to those persons who are entitled to speak and take part in the proceedings of a House of Parliament or any of its committees. 
• These include the attorney general of India and Union ministers. 
• Though, it must be clarified here that the parliamentary privileges do not extend to the president who is also an integral part of the Parliament. 
• There are some privileges belonging to the members individually like; they cannot be arrested during the session of Parliament and 40 days before the beginning and 40 days after the end of a session. 
• This privilege is available only in civil cases and not in criminal cases or preventive detention cases. 

Ans: (a)