New Delhi, July 28 (TIWN) The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that privileges and immunities granted to legislators can't be used to claim exemption from the law of the land, as it dismissed Kerala government's plea seeking the court's nod to withdraw cases against CPI-M leaders, including present Education Minister V. Sivankutty, for vandalism in the Assembly in 2015, when the party was in opposition.

The top court dismissed Kerala government’s plea seeking court’s nod to withdraw cases against CPI(M) leaders, including education minister V. Sivankutty, for vandalism in the state Assembly in 2015, when the current ruling party was in opposition.  A bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah emphasized the right of free speech, privileges and immunity accorded to MLAs and MPs that they do not mean they will enjoy immunity from criminal acts within the House and the trial court was correct in rejecting the application for withdrawal of FIR.