Electoral Bonds Case: Congress hails SC order on SBI extension plea, says court protected Indian democracy
Congress party leader KC Venugopal on Monday lauded the Supreme Court's order dismissing SBI's plea seeking extension till June 30, 2024, to furnish details regarding electoral bonds.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, «The Supreme Court has once again come to protect Indian democracy from the devious machinations of this regime. It was laughable for the SBI to seek an extension on a simple 1 day job. The fact is that the government is scared of all their skeletons tumbling out of the closet. This mega corruption scandal, as certified by the Supreme Court, will expose the unholy nexus between the BJP and its corrupt corporate masters.»
The post was also shared by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
SC's take on SBI extension plea
A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the State Bank of India's plea seeking extension till June 30 to furnish details regarding electoral bonds. The SC has asked SBI to provide details by March 12.
The SBI has been asked to disclose information till the ‘business hours’ of March 12, while the Election Commission of India (ECI) has been asked to upload it on its website by 5 pm, March 15.
The SBI has been asked to submit details of the bonds, including the name, date and denominations. Alongside, it will also reveal details of the bonds which were redeemed by the political parties, including the date of encashment and denominations.
As per the SC's February 15 judgment, the SBI is not required to match these two critical details.
Harish
