As Supreme Court Strikes Down ‘Unconstitutional’ Electoral Bonds, Here’s What It Means for Parties Ahead of 2024 Battle
10 months, 1 week ago

As Supreme Court Strikes Down ‘Unconstitutional’ Electoral Bonds, Here’s What It Means for Parties Ahead of 2024 Battle

News 18  

The Supreme Court, in a major decision on Thursday ahead of the Lok Sabha election, struck down the electoral bonds scheme, calling it “unconstitutional”. It has earned nearly Rs 6,565 crore from electoral bonds between 2017-18 and 2022-23, as per details in the Supreme Court judgement. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, which has been in power in West Bengal since 2011, has declared that it received Rs 1093 crore from 2017-18 till 2022-23 from electoral bonds. The deadline given by Supreme Court to SBI to furnish by March 6 all details about sale of electoral bonds, and the deadline to ECI to publish the said information on its website by March 13, could become a major election issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in April-May as the donor names and their donations could become public just at the cusp of elections.

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History of this topic

CJI DY Chandrachud bids adieu to Supreme Court: Top 5 crucial verdicts delivered by him
1 month, 2 weeks ago

CJI DY Chandrachud bids adieu to Supreme Court: Top 5 crucial verdicts delivered by him

India TV News  

On the last day in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud leaves behind a legacy of important decisions on privacy, federalism, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. While addressing his farewell function, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, "Thank you so much for such a great honour.I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the Supreme Court …

Electoral Bonds: SC declines pleas seeking SIT probe into alleged quid pro quo in electoral bond donations
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Electoral Bonds: SC declines pleas seeking SIT probe into alleged quid pro quo in electoral bond donations

Op India  

The Supreme Court on Friday declined a batch of petitions seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team into the alleged instances of quid pro quo arrangements between corporates and political parties through Electoral Bonds donations. The top court also rejected the demand to direct the authorities to recover the donations received by political parties through Electoral Bonds and to …

Electoral bonds: SC to hear plea seeking SIT probe
5 months ago

Electoral bonds: SC to hear plea seeking SIT probe

The Hindu  

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on July 19, 2024, said a petition seeking the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to probe each and every instance of quid pro quo, corruption, and kickbacks revealed through the disclosure of details of the electoral bonds would be listed for hearing on July 22. The petition submitted that some of the country’s …

Electoral bonds will be back after consultations: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
8 months ago

Electoral bonds will be back after consultations: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Hindustan Times  

The Bharatiya Janata Party intends to bring back electoral bonds in some form after wide consultations will all stakeholders if it is elected back to power in the 2024 general elections, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday, reposing her faith in the controversial political funding scheme that was scrapped by the Supreme Court in February but admitting that …

Rahul calls electoral bonds world’s biggest ‘extortion scheme’, attacks Modi
8 months, 1 week ago

Rahul calls electoral bonds world’s biggest ‘extortion scheme’, attacks Modi

Hindustan Times  

Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called the now-scrapped electoral bonds the world’s biggest “extortion scheme” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “champion of corruption” as the Congress leader addressed a press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Ghaziabad, which is due to go to the polls on April 26 in the second phase of national polls. …

PM Modi details 'Vision 2047', hits back at Opposition on ED raids, Electoral bonds issue | DETAILS
8 months, 1 week ago

PM Modi details 'Vision 2047', hits back at Opposition on ED raids, Electoral bonds issue | DETAILS

India TV News  

PM Modi interview: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he has "big plans" for the country upon his return to the office after the Lok Sabha elections 2024, and assured that nobody needs to be "scared" of his decisions. PM Modi on 'One Nation, One Election' PM Modi reiterated his government's commitment to 'One Nation, One Election' idea, as …

​Pandora’s box: The Hindu Editorial on the electoral bonds scheme, emerging details
8 months, 2 weeks ago

​Pandora’s box: The Hindu Editorial on the electoral bonds scheme, emerging details

The Hindu  

In the last month or so, ever since the State Bank of India was compelled by the Supreme Court of India to release information on donations via electoral bonds to political parties, emerging details have only confirmed the worst fears of naysayers in regulatory and policy-making institutions about the scheme before it was introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party -led …

Bonds, big money and an imperfect democracy
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Bonds, big money and an imperfect democracy

The Hindu  

The electoral bonds scheme that has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of India, was supposed to end the financing of elections with black money. In effect, the electoral bonds scheme was only an additional avenue for funds that political parties received. Cronyism uncovered Even though the electoral bonds formed a fraction of the total funding requirement of political …

DC Edit | Only probe can establish facts of murky poll bond sales
8 months, 4 weeks ago

DC Edit | Only probe can establish facts of murky poll bond sales

Deccan Chronicle  

The Supreme Court of India struck down the electoral bond scheme finding it violative of the citizen’s fundamental right to information under Article 19 of the Constitution. The information that has reached the public domain after the State Bank of India, which executed the scheme, handed it over to the Election Commission of India on the orders of the court …

Electoral bonds are ‘post-raid’ bribes to BJP-led government: Jairam Ramesh
9 months ago

Electoral bonds are ‘post-raid’ bribes to BJP-led government: Jairam Ramesh

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that the electoral bonds are “pre-paid”, “post-paid” and “post-raid” bribes, through which the central government had given Rs.3.8 lakh crore in projects and contracts to private companies in exchange for Rs.2,004 crore in donations to the Bharatiya Janata Party. In its 2019 manifesto, the Congress promised to scrap …

Electoral Bonds case | SBI confirms to Supreme Court its ‘complete disclosure’ of electoral bonds data
9 months ago

Electoral Bonds case | SBI confirms to Supreme Court its ‘complete disclosure’ of electoral bonds data

The Hindu  

The State Bank of India on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it has made a “complete disclosure” of all the details regarding the purchase and encashment of electoral bonds in its possession and custody to the Election Commission of India for publication on its official website. In an affidavit, SBI chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara said that the information shared …

Mother of Democracy? Electoral Bonds are the Annihilation of Democratic Values
9 months ago

Mother of Democracy? Electoral Bonds are the Annihilation of Democratic Values

The Quint  

Fresh data on the purchase patterns of electoral bonds emerged over the weekend. According to an investigation by The Quint, “The new figures revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party received Rs 2,658.35 crore in electoral bonds between 9 March 2018 and 11 April 2019. The Congress party received Rs 530.1 crore, Trinamool Congress got Rs 97.28 crore, and the Biju …

SC order on electoral bonds disclosure does not cover full details from March 2018
9 months ago

SC order on electoral bonds disclosure does not cover full details from March 2018

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on March 18 directed full disclosure of electoral bonds purchased after April 2019, but information about a chunk of poll bonds bought and encashed during the first year of the anonymous political funding scheme will continue to remain hidden from the public eye. This would mean that full information on who bought how many electoral bonds to …

Electoral Bonds: Supreme Court rebukes SBI, says don't be ‘selective’
9 months ago

Electoral Bonds: Supreme Court rebukes SBI, says don't be ‘selective’

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: The State Bank of India can't be selective in disclosing information linked to electoral bonds, the Supreme Court of India said on Monday, directing the bank to submit full details of the bonds' numbers to the Election Commission by March 21. The Supreme Court ordered the bank to disclose all "conceivable" electoral bond details in its possession, including …

ECI uploads more data on bonds till November 2023
9 months, 1 week ago

ECI uploads more data on bonds till November 2023

Hindustan Times  

The Election Commission of India on Sunday uploaded all electoral bond-related documents that it received from political parties in 2019 and November 2023 in sealed covers, which it had subsequently submitted to the Supreme Court. Between April 12, 2019 and February 15, 2024, VM Salgaocar and Brother bought bonds worth ₹1.5 crore while an associated company, VM Salgaocar Corporation Private …

Electoral bonds case highlights: RJD, JD(U) trade charges over EB scheme
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral bonds case highlights: RJD, JD(U) trade charges over EB scheme

Hindustan Times  

Electoral bonds case highlights: The Supreme Court on Monday heard a case regarding the State Bank of India disclosing the "unique serial numbers" of electoral bonds. Under the now-defunct 2018 Electoral Bond scheme, each bond is marked with a unique serial number, which could aid in monitoring their issuance and redemption and tracing them back to the purchaser. Expressing disapproval, …

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers

Live Law  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will hear the Electoral Bonds Case today at 10.30 AM.The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will decide whether the State Bank of India should be directed to disclose the unique numbers of the Electoral Bonds. A Constitution Bench of the …

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers

Live Law  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will hear the Electoral Bonds Case today at 10.30 AM.The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will decide whether the State Bank of India should be directed to disclose the unique numbers of the Electoral Bonds. A Constitution Bench of the …

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers

Live Law  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will hear the Electoral Bonds Case today at 10.30 AM.The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will decide whether the State Bank of India should be directed to disclose the unique numbers of the Electoral Bonds. A Constitution Bench of the …

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral Bonds Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing On Whether SBI Should Disclose Bond Numbers

Live Law  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will hear the Electoral Bonds Case today at 10.30 AM.The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will decide whether the State Bank of India should be directed to disclose the unique numbers of the Electoral Bonds. A Constitution Bench of the …

Electoral bonds: A key poll plank for anti-BJP forces
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral bonds: A key poll plank for anti-BJP forces

Hindustan Times  

The disclosure about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s earnings from electoral bonds is expected to fuel the opposition’s narrative against the ruling party and will be a key bone of contention in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to begin from April 19. Following the disclosures, BJP spokesperson RP Singh said, of the ₹20,000 crore-odd electoral bonds, only ₹6,000 crore has …

Biggest purchaser of Electoral bonds is a Lottery firm, EC reveals in fresh details
9 months, 1 week ago

Biggest purchaser of Electoral bonds is a Lottery firm, EC reveals in fresh details

Firstpost  

Providing details after April 12, 2019, the EC’s report revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the largest beneficiary of the electoral bonds scheme, receiving Rs 6,061 crore in political donations over the last five years The Election Commission of India has disclosed additional details regarding electoral bonds, including the amount redeemed per political party on March 17. Political …

Bonded favours: The Hindu Editorial on the electoral bond scheme, sordid revelations
9 months, 1 week ago

Bonded favours: The Hindu Editorial on the electoral bond scheme, sordid revelations

The Hindu  

Sordid revelations that keep pouring from the disclosure of details about the purchasers and recipients of electoral bonds confirm the early apprehension of sceptics that the anonymous political funding scheme will have undesirable consequences. Ranging from likely quid pro quo deals to flagrant proximity between companies being investigated by central agencies and the purchase of electoral bonds worth hundreds of …

Electoral bonds | Biggest beneficiaries claim inability to reveal donor names
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral bonds | Biggest beneficiaries claim inability to reveal donor names

The Hindu  

Most large recipients of funding via electoral bonds, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress, and the Trinamool Congress have not shared any details about their donors, in submissions made to the Election Commission of India under the direction of the Supreme Court in May 2019 and November 2023. For full coverage | Making sense of the electoral bonds data …

Direct SBI & ECI To Disclose Details Of Electoral Bonds Worth Rs 4K Crores Sold Before April 2019 : Plea In Supreme Court
9 months, 1 week ago

Direct SBI & ECI To Disclose Details Of Electoral Bonds Worth Rs 4K Crores Sold Before April 2019 : Plea In Supreme Court

Live Law  

An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to disclose the details of the electoral bonds which were sold between March 1, 2018 to April 11, 2019.Presently, the Supreme Court has directed the disclosure of the electoral bonds sold between the period April 12, 2019, till February 15, 2024.The applicant "Citizens for Rights Trust" submitted that …

Conflict of interest is built into the idea of electoral bonds
9 months, 1 week ago

Conflict of interest is built into the idea of electoral bonds

Hindustan Times  

“Martin, who” did you say? Electoral bonds were meant to mark the end of the suitcase-era of political funding — days when cash was stuffed into attache cases and handed over and under tables. And because no one really wants to have this unsexy conversation, it’s much easier to indulge in competitive political outrage over electoral bonds and watch the …

Making sense of the electoral bonds data
9 months, 1 week ago

Making sense of the electoral bonds data

The Hindu  

In a latest development in the electoral bonds case, the Supreme Court on March 18 asked the State Bank of India to disclose “full details” related to the electoral bonds, including the alphanumeric number that would disclose the link between the buyer and the recipient political party. Among political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party encashed electoral bonds worth ₹6,060.5 crore …

Electoral Bonds: Supreme Court Takes Exception to SBI 'Not Disclosing Unique Number'
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral Bonds: Supreme Court Takes Exception to SBI 'Not Disclosing Unique Number'

News 18  

The Supreme Court on Friday took exception to State Bank of India not disclosing unique number of electoral bonds. In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge Constitution bench had scrapped the Centre’s electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it “unconstitutional” and ordered disclosure by the EC of donors, the amount donated by them and …

Electoral bonds world's biggest extortion racket, says Rahul Gandhi
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral bonds world's biggest extortion racket, says Rahul Gandhi

India TV News  

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the government over the issue of electoral bonds saying the concept is the biggest extortion racket in the world. Speaking on electoral bonds and the contracts given by Congress or other opposition party-governed states, Rahul Gandhi said, "The question here is that months after a contract was given, the …

Electoral bonds data: BJP received Rs 6,060 crore, highest among all parties
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral bonds data: BJP received Rs 6,060 crore, highest among all parties

The Hindu  

March 14, 2024 10:18 pm | Updated March 21, 2024 09:02 pm IST The Bharatiya Janata Party encashed electoral bonds worth ₹6060.5 crore — the highest among all parties — between April 12, 2019 and January 24, 2024. The All India Trinamool Congress received ₹1,609.50 crore via this route followed by the Congress ₹1,421.9 crore, the second and third biggest …

Electoral bonds case: 5 things SBI said in its compliance affidavit to Supreme Court
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral bonds case: 5 things SBI said in its compliance affidavit to Supreme Court

Hindustan Times  

The State Bank of India on Tuesday had shared all details of electoral bonds with the Election Commission, which is set to publish them anytime before March 15, i.e Friday. On Wednesday, India's biggest public lender submitted a compliance affidavit before the apex court, sharing details of the bonds purchased and redeemed between April 1, 2019 and February 15 this …

Electoral Bonds Case: SBI files compliance affidavit in SC after sending electoral bonds details to EC
9 months, 1 week ago

Electoral Bonds Case: SBI files compliance affidavit in SC after sending electoral bonds details to EC

The Hindu  

The State Bank of India on March 13 informed the Supreme Court that details of electoral bonds anonymously purchased by contributors and encashed by political parties between April 2019 and February 15, 2024 were hand-delivered to the Election Commission of India in order to facilitate public disclosure of political funding. The SBI said a total of 22,217 electoral bonds were …

SBI Furnishes Electoral Bonds Details To ECI After Supreme Court Rebuke
9 months, 1 week ago

SBI Furnishes Electoral Bonds Details To ECI After Supreme Court Rebuke

Live Law  

In a significant development following the Supreme Court's rebuke, the State Bank of India has furnished electoral bonds details to the Election Commission of India in compliance with the court's directives. 880 of 2017), data on electoral bonds has been supplied by State Bank of India to Election Commission of India, today, March 12, 2024." This announcement comes on the …

SBI sends electoral bonds details to Election Commission
9 months, 1 week ago

SBI sends electoral bonds details to Election Commission

The Hindu  

A day after the Supreme Court directive, the State Bank of India on March 12 submitted to the Election Commission of India the details of electoral bonds purchased and encashed since April 12, 2019. “In compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directions to the SBI, contained in its order dated Feb 15 and March 11, 2024, data on electoral bonds …

'...As certified by Supreme Court': Congress calls electoral bonds 'mega corruption scandal'
9 months, 1 week ago

'...As certified by Supreme Court': Congress calls electoral bonds 'mega corruption scandal'

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Reacting to the Supreme Court's verdict on electoral bonds, the Congress on Monday said the apex court has protected Indian democracy from “the devious machinations of this regime”. The fact is that the government is scared of all their skeletons tumbling out of the closet," Congress leader KC Venugopal wrote in X. KC Venugopal claimed the Supreme Court …

Electoral bonds: Supreme Court raps SBI, asks ‘what steps have you taken in last 26 days?’
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Electoral bonds: Supreme Court raps SBI, asks ‘what steps have you taken in last 26 days?’

Hindustan Times  

Electoral bonds case hearing: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the State Bank of India for not complying with its order and not disclosing electoral bond donor details to the Election Commission of India by March 6. The Supreme Court rejected the SBI's application seeking time till June 30 to disclose the details, giving it time till the business …

Electoral bonds: Supreme Court raps SBI, asks ‘what steps have you taken in last 26 days?’
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Electoral bonds: Supreme Court raps SBI, asks ‘what steps have you taken in last 26 days?’

Hindustan Times  

Electoral bonds case hearing: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the State Bank of India for not complying with its order and not disclosing electoral bond donor details to the Election Commission of India by March 6. The Supreme Court rejected the SBI's application seeking time till June 30 to disclose the details, giving it time till the business …

Electoral bonds: Key Supreme Court hearing today as SBI, NGO file petitions | 10 points
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Electoral bonds: Key Supreme Court hearing today as SBI, NGO file petitions | 10 points

Hindustan Times  

All eyes will be on the Supreme Court on Monday, March 11, as it will hear the application filed by the State Bank of India seeking an extension till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped last month. A view of the Supreme Court of India A five-judge Constitution …

Supreme Court’s responsibility to protect its dignity: Kapil Sibal on SBI plea on electoral bonds issue
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court’s responsibility to protect its dignity: Kapil Sibal on SBI plea on electoral bonds issue

The Hindu  

Terming the SBI's reasons for seeking an extension in disclosing electoral bond details "puerile", Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on March 10 said it is the Supreme Court's responsibility to protect its dignity and that it "would not be easy" to accept the bank's plea when a Constitution bench has rendered a judgement. Mr. Sibal, who led the argument for …

Electoral bonds case | Five-judge Bench to hold special sitting on SBI plea for more time
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Electoral bonds case | Five-judge Bench to hold special sitting on SBI plea for more time

The Hindu  

A special sitting by a five-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is scheduled on March 11 to hear an application filed by the State Bank of India seeking time till June 30 to share details of electoral bonds purchased anonymously and encashed by political parties since April 2019. A contempt petition filed by the Association for …

Electoral bonds scheme | Modi government using SBI as a “shield” to hide dubious deals: Kharge
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Electoral bonds scheme | Modi government using SBI as a “shield” to hide dubious deals: Kharge

The Hindu  

A day after the State Bank of India sought time from the Supreme Court until June 30 to submit details of the electoral bond scheme, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Narendra Modi-led government of using the SBI as a “shield to hide its dubious dealings”. “Modi Govt is using the largest bank of our country as a shield to …

‘Narendra Modi has...’: Congress links SBI electoral bond move to Lok Sabha polls
9 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Narendra Modi has...’: Congress links SBI electoral bond move to Lok Sabha polls

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Reacting to the State Bank of India's plea before the Supreme Court seeking more time to disclose electoral bonds' details, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of using the bank to hide its alleged "dubious dealing". Weeks after the Supreme Court ordered India's largest bank to disclose the details of bonds encashed …

ADR says it will oppose SBI plea on electoral bonds
9 months, 2 weeks ago

ADR says it will oppose SBI plea on electoral bonds

The Hindu  

As the State Bank of India moved the Supreme Court seeking time till June 30 to comply with a direction to make public details of electoral bonds purchased since April 2019, the Association for Democratic Reforms, chief petitioner in the electoral bonds case, said it was considering all legal options, including opposing the SBI plea in court. The SBI on …

Electoral bonds a scandal, move to annul them will lead to greater transparency: Amartya Sen
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Electoral bonds a scandal, move to annul them will lead to greater transparency: Amartya Sen

New Indian Express  

KOLKATA: Eminent economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's recent judgment annulling the electoral bonds scheme, denouncing it as a scandal. Speaking to PTI from Massachusetts, USA, Sen said that the move will lead to greater transparency among people in the electoral context. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court annulled the electoral bonds scheme …

Explainer | Ctrl + Delete: Electoral Bonds
10 months ago

Explainer | Ctrl + Delete: Electoral Bonds

New Indian Express  

"Political contributions give a seat at the table to the contributor. This access also translates into influence over policy-making,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud while declaring the electoral bond scheme illegal in a landmark judgment on February 15. The CJI’s sharp words underscore the notion of the unholy nexus between money power and political parties, and how …

Making sense of electoral bond judgment through data
10 months ago

Making sense of electoral bond judgment through data

The Hindu  

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled the electoral bonds Scheme unconstitutional, saying that the anonymous influx of funding to political parties, especially from corporations, hinders democratic legitimacy. In Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s opinion, “access to information which can materially shape the citizens’ choice is necessary for them to have a say in how their lives are affected.” This meant Solicitor General …

A Fillip To Democracy : Supreme Court's Electoral Bonds Case Verdict
10 months ago

A Fillip To Democracy : Supreme Court's Electoral Bonds Case Verdict

Live Law  

On Thursday, the Supreme Court of India gave a much needed fillip to our democracy. Through these amendments, Parliament introduced a new arrangement for financial contributions to political parties, the “Electoral Bond Scheme.” The law now allowed an individual or any “artificial juridical person,” including corporations, to buy bonds issued by the State Bank of India during stipulated periods of …

SC strikes down electoral bonds scheme, EFTA trade agreement raises concerns, and more | The week in 5 charts
10 months ago

SC strikes down electoral bonds scheme, EFTA trade agreement raises concerns, and more | The week in 5 charts

The Hindu  

Electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional: Supreme Court In a landmark unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court on February 15, Thursday, struck down as “unconstitutional and manifestly arbitrary” the electoral bonds scheme, which provides blanket anonymity to political donors, as well as critical legal amendments allowing rich corporations to make unlimited political donations. The court dismissed the Union government’s argument that the anonymity …

The clear message in the Court’s ‘no’ to electoral bonds
10 months, 1 week ago

The clear message in the Court’s ‘no’ to electoral bonds

The Hindu  

The judgment of the Supreme Court of India, on February 15, 2024, striking down the electoral bonds scheme, is a landmark moment. The judgment says: “The chief reason for corporate funding of political parties is to influence the political process which may in turn improve the company’s business performance.” Electoral bonds also removed the earlier limits on how much of …

Constitutional idealism gets a boost from SC
10 months, 1 week ago

Constitutional idealism gets a boost from SC

Hindustan Times  

“It’s the triumph of idealism over pragmatism,” Subhash Garg, former finance secretary of India, told me as news came in of the Supreme Court’s massive intervention in striking down electoral bonds as a way of political funding. His memoirs also chronicle the fierce clashes that took place over electoral bonds, describing then Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel as …

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