Last month, the Supreme Court declared the electoral bond scheme 'unconstitutional', instructing political parties to share information about donations received through electoral bonds. The bank was given a deadline of March 6, 2024, to comply, but SBI has approached the apex court requesting an extension until June 30. A hearing on this petition by the bank is scheduled for Monday, March 11.
Hearing on SBI's petition scheduled for Monday
The Supreme Court is set to hear SBI's petition regarding the electoral bond case on Monday. The petition requests an extension until June 30 for submitting the required data. Meanwhile, a contempt plea filed by ADR against SBI is also scheduled for a hearing on Monday. However, India Today reported on Wednesday that the Supreme Court might hear SBI's petition on the coming Monday.
ADR's plea also to be heard
ADR filed a contempt petition against SBI for failing to submit the data by March 6 and demanded an expedited hearing. Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan raised the issue of electoral bonds in the SC, saying it is a direct case of contempt. On the other hand, SBI has also filed a petition for more time, slated for a hearing on March 11. 'Our contempt petition should be heard alongside it,' said Bhushan. CJI D.Y. Chandrachud instructed to complete the email petition, after which they will consider.
Senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan accused the Modi government of using SBI to refrain from disclosing the details of electoral bond donors until the Lok Sabha elections. He stated that exposing such information before the elections could reveal many instances of bribery for securing government contracts.
What is SC's Order
In February, the Supreme Court annulled the electoral bond scheme, stating that it violated the constitutional right to information, speech, and freedom of expression. The bench, headed by the chief justice, unanimously ruled on petitions challenging the legality of the electoral bond scheme.
