New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the State Bank of India (SBI) cannot be selective in disclosing the details, while hearing the pleas related to the disclosure of unique alphanumeric numbers of electoral bonds in compliance of its directions.
The apex court asked the bank to file an affidavit by 5 pm on March 21, indicating that all data in the bank’s possession has been disclosed.
The SBI cannot be selective and has to disclose all “conceivable” electoral bond details in its possession, including unique bond numbers that would reveal the link between the buyer and the recipient political party, said the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud.
“There is no manner of doubt that SBI was required to disclose all details. This, we clarify, will include the alphanumeric number and the serial number, if any, of the bonds redeemed,” the bench added.
Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for the SBI told the top court that if the numbers of electoral bonds are to be given, “we will give them”.
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Advocate Prashant Bhushan also informed that the SC didn’t accept the contention of industry bodies like FICCI and Assocham against making the donors list public. “The SC heard its notice to SBI, asking them why they had not disclosed the alpha-numeric details on each bond of the purchaser as well as the party which redeemed those bonds. But before the court could hear the State Bank, there were three applications filed by three industry organisations – FICCI, CII, Assocham – in which prayer has been made that their bond numbers should not be disclosed.”
