SC slams SBI for incomplete electoral bond data
Today, the Supreme Court reprimanded the State Bank of India for its failure to provide comprehensive data on electoral bonds, a program enabling anonymous donations from individuals and businesses to political parties. Previously, the court had invalidated the scheme and directed the bank to disclose all information regarding donations made over the past five years.
In response to a petition filed by the Election Commission, the Supreme Court criticized the incomplete data provided by the State Bank of India. The five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, instructed SBI to disclose electoral bond numbers, in addition to the details already shared.
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized, “Who is representing the State Bank of India? They have not divulged the bond numbers. It is imperative for the State Bank of India to disclose them,” at the beginning of the hearing.
In a notice directed to SBI, the Supreme Court bench summoned the bank to explain the oversight during the upcoming hearing scheduled for March 18.
Including electoral bond numbers is crucial for establishing the link between donors and political parties.
