Electoral Bonds Disclosure: Contempt Plea Moved Against SBI In Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Thursday approached Supreme Court demanding contempt action against the State Bank of India (SBI) for failing to submit details of electoral bonds (EBs) purchased since April 12, 2019.

The largest bank in India, which had been set a deadline of March 6 to furnish details of EBs to the Election Commission, had sought more time from the apex court.

The Supreme Court on February 15 quashed the electoral bonds scheme on the grounds that it violated citizens’ right to information, and was unconstitutional and arbitrary.

ADR, a non-profit organisation the lead petitioner in the judgment striking down the Central government’s 2018 EB scheme, mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud seeking a hearing on March 11.

SBI’s application for extension of time till June 30 may also be taken up on that date.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan submitted before Justice Chandrachud that ADR has sought initiation of contempt proceedings against SBI for not abiding by the deadline to submit complete details of EBs to the EC.

The CJI, who headed the bench in the EB case, stated that the contempt plea will come up with SBI’s petition if it has been duly numbered and verified.