Cong responds to SC's decision not to grant additional time to SBI regarding electoral bonds

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the application of State Bank of India i.e. SBI, in which it had sought extension of time for providing information related to electoral bonds.

SBI had sought time till June 30 to make the information about electrical bonds public.

Earlier last month, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had canceled the electoral bonds, terming them unconstitutional and had directed SBI to give the information about the electoral bonds purchased from April 12, 2019 till now to the Election Commission by March 6, 2024.

In this case, SBI had demanded to extend the date of giving information till June 30.

On Monday, the Supreme Court has said in its order that SBI will have to provide information by March 12, 2024 and the Election Commission will have to release this information on its website by 5 pm on March 15, 2024.

After the Supreme Court's decision, Prashant Bhushan while talking to the media said, “The court said that the information about the donors and the donations encashed by the parties has to be given. SBI was saying that they have to do cross matching. The court said that release the data available with you. There is no need to match it. 

Expressing happiness over the Supreme Court's decision, Anjali Bhardwaj, RTI activist and activist on electoral bonds, wrote, "The Supreme Court stands by its original decision, in which the information of electoral bonds purchased and encashed - name, amount and dates have to be issued. SBI was avoiding making public the names of donors before the 2024 elections. The Supreme Court has warned SBI that a case of contempt of court could bre filed.

Cong's reaction

The Congress Party has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court not to give more time to SBI regarding electoral bonds.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Supreme Court's decision is a victory for transparency, accountability and level playing field in democracy.

Kharge said on this decision, "After SBI asked for four and a half months to publish electoral bonds, it became clear that the Modi government is making every possible effort to cover up its dark deeds. With today's decision of the Honorable Supreme Court. The country will soon know the list of those who donated to BJP through electoral bonds."