Supreme Court set to review SBI's request in electoral bonds case today
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court is set to address the State Bank of India's (SBI) request regarding the electoral bonds case today. SBI is seeking an extension until June 30 to submit information related to electoral bonds, a deadline initially set for March 6.
The request for an extension will be heard by a five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, accompanied by Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, convening at 10:30 am.
1. The bench had previously instructed SBI to provide details on each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was nullified last month.
2. Additionally, the court will address a separate plea filed by non-profit organizations Association for Democratic Reforms and Common Cause, seeking contempt proceedings against SBI for allegedly disregarding the court's order to furnish details by March 6.
3. On February 15, the bench invalidated the Centre's electoral bonds scheme, deeming it unconstitutional due to its allowance of anonymous political funding.
4. The court ruled that electoral bonds violate citizens' right to information, equality guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution, and the principle of free and fair elections.
5. The Election Commission was instructed to provide details of donors, donation amounts, and recipients, to be published on the Commission's website by March 13.
6. SBI was directed to submit information on bonds purchased since April 12, 2019, to the Commission by March 6.
7. SBI requested an extension until June 30, citing the complexities of retrieving information while maintaining anonymity.
8. The Congress accused the BJP of using SBI as a shield and speculated that the extension request is a tactic to withhold data until the Lok Sabha election.
9. Highlighting SBI's extensive technological infrastructure, the Congress criticized the bank's purported need for five months to provide data on a relatively small number of electoral bonds.
10. The case remains pivotal in addressing transparency and accountability in political funding, with the Supreme Court's forthcoming decision holding significant implications for electoral integrity and democratic principles.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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