ದಿಲ್ಲಿ: ತನ್ನ ಆದೇಶನ್ ಪಾಲನೆ ಮಲ್ಪಂದಿನ ಸ್ಟೇಟ್ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಆಫ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ನ್ ಸುಪ್ರೀಂ ಕೋರ್ಟ್ ತರಾಟೆ ಗ್ ದೆತ್ತೊಂದುಂಡ್.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the State Bank of India (SBI) for non-disclosure of alphanumeric code of Electoral Bonds, which are essential for identifying the bonds. As a result, the court has issued a notice to the bank and sought its response by Monday.
A five-judge Constitution bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, expressed dissatisfaction with SBI’s compliance with its March 11 order. In that order, the bank was instructed to disclose all details related to Electoral Bonds.
“They have not disclosed the bond number because that has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India (SBI). If you see our judgement, all details have to be furnished by the SBI,” said a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud.
The apex court instructed its Registrar Judicial to ensure the scanning and digitization of documents, after which the original documents would be returned to the ECI. The ECI will then upload them on its website by March 17.
During the hearing, the apex court expressed its concern over SBI’s non-disclosure of the bond numbers, emphasizing the bank’s obligation to do so. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to issue notice to the bank, indicating that they might have relevant information to provide.
In a previous verdict in February, the Supreme Court had invalidated the Electoral Bonds Scheme, which allowed for anonymous funding to political parties, and directed SBI to cease issuing Electoral Bonds immediately. The court had also struck down amendments made to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act, which had enabled anonymous donations.
The court’s decision to seek clarification from SBI underscores the ongoing legal battle surrounding electoral funding and transparency in India’s political landscape.
pallavi shetty