The Supreme Court has declined petitions requesting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the electoral bonds scheme. Previously, on February 15, the Court’s five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, declared the scheme unconstitutional, stating it violated the right to information under Article 19(1)(a). The scheme, introduced in 2018 to promote transparency in political funding, has faced significant criticism for its anonymous donation feature.
Two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had filed the petitions, arguing that the scheme enabled financial contributions from shell and loss-making companies to political parties, echoing concerns revealed in Election Commission data. The NGOs alleged that the scheme facilitated “apparent quid pro quo” between political parties and corporations, suggesting potential misuse and corruption.
The petitioners equated the scheme to previous high-profile financial scandals like the 2G and coal scams, both of which underwent court-monitored investigations. They contended that the electoral bonds scheme’s financial trail warranted a similar level of scrutiny through an SIT probe.
Chief Justice Chandrachud’s bench underscored the importance of transparency in funding for political parties, emphasizing that informed electoral choices hinge on such transparency.
Despite these arguments, the Supreme Court has ultimately decided against initiating a separate SIT investigation into the matter, adhering to their earlier ruling that deemed the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional on the grounds of infringing on the public’s right to information. The decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over political funding transparency and the mechanisms in place to prevent corruption.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/supreme-court-rejects-sit-probe-into-electoral-bonds-scheme-1062935-2024-08-02?utm_source=rssfeed
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