Supreme Court

SC Reserves Verdict on Pleas Challenging Validity of Electoral Bonds Scheme

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a series of petitions challenging the electoral bonds scheme’s validity for funding political parties.

A five-judge constitution bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, began hearing arguments on October 31 on the four petitions filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The electoral bonds scheme, introduced by the government on January 2, 2018, was presented as an alternative to cash donations to political parties, aiming to enhance transparency in political funding.

According to the scheme’s provisions, electoral bonds can be purchased by any Indian citizen or entity incorporated or established in India, either individually or jointly with other individuals. Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and receiving at least 1 percent of the votes in the last Lok Sabha or state legislative Assembly election are eligible to receive electoral bonds.

As per the notification, eligible political parties can only encash electoral bonds through an authorized bank account.

In April 2019, the Apex Court declined to stay the electoral bonds scheme and expressed its intent to conduct a comprehensive hearing on the petitions due to “weighty issues” raised by the Centre and the Election Commission that significantly impact the integrity of the country’s electoral process.

 

Nunnem Gangte

Recent Posts

Rajasthan HC Quashes SC/ST Case Against Actress Shilpa Shetty

The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday quashed a complaint filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of…

14 hours ago

Allahabad HC Turns Down Appeal Seeking Appointment Of Receiver For Jaigurudev Sanstha

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday has dismissed an appeal filed by the Jaigurudev Dharma…

14 hours ago

Shivaji Statue Collapse Case: Bombay HC Grants Bail To Consultant Chetan Patil

The Bombay High Court granted bail to consultant Chetan Patil on Thursday in connection with…

14 hours ago

Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC Refuses To Stay Trial Against Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to stay the trial proceedings against former Delhi…

15 hours ago

AP Assembly Passes Resolution To Set Up HC Bench In Kurnool

The Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to establish a permanent High Court…

15 hours ago

Lesbian Couple Desiring Child Gets Bail In Kidnapping Of Minor Girl

The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to a lesbian couple arrested for allegedly…

16 hours ago