Claim
The PV Narasimha Rao–JMM bribery scandal happened (under Congress), a very big matter in which Narasimha Rao had to go to court — sarcastically noting the opposition would claim even that was done to 'save the Constitution'.
“अभी थोड़ी देर में बोलेंगे पीवी नरसिम्हा राव और जेएमएम घूसकांड जो हुआ था वो भी संविधान को बचाने के लिए हुआ था जिसमें कोर्ट में अह पीवी नरसिम्हा राव को जाना पड़ा था। बहुत बड़ा मैटर था।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The core factual assertions are accurate. The JMM bribery scandal did occur under the Congress government led by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao: in July 1993, JMM and other MPs were allegedly bribed (Rs 50 lakh each) to help defeat a no-confidence motion. It was a major, high-profile case — the first time a former PM faced corruption/bribery/criminal-conspiracy proceedings. Rao did have to go to court: the CBI charge-sheeted him, a trial court convicted him in 2000, and he was acquitted by the Delhi High Court in 2002. The anchor's added 'save the Constitution' line is sarcastic political commentary, not a factual claim, so it does not affect the verdict on the historical facts, which check out.
Evidence
- https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/narasimha-rao-buta-singh-found-guilty-in-jmm-bribery-case-100093001008_1.html Reports that former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao and Buta Singh were found guilty by the trial court in the JMM bribery case in September 2000 — confirming Rao faced criminal prosecution in court. ✗ unreachable · HTTP 403
- https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1694807/ Delhi High Court judgment (15 March 2002) in Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao vs State Through CBI, in which Rao's conviction was set aside and he was acquitted — confirming the matter went through the courts. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.lawctopus.com/academike/pv-narasimha-rao-v-state-jmm-bribery-case/ Case summary: Congress (I) govt under PM Narasimha Rao allegedly bribed JMM MPs (Shibu Soren and others took Rs 50 lakh each) to defeat the July 1993 no-confidence motion; CBI charge-sheeted Rao under conspiracy and Prevention of Corruption Act provisions. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.barandbench.com/amp/story/news/bribery-parliament-what1998-supreme-court-judgment-pv-narasimha-rao-case-say Confirms the 1998 Supreme Court judgment in the P.V. Narasimha Rao bribery case addressing the JMM MP bribery episode and legislative immunity. ✓ reachable · archived