The Karnataka High Court has reserved its order on a petition seeking to quash a criminal case against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman concerning the controversial Electoral Bonds scheme. The plea challenges the allegations and the maintainability of the case.
Background:
The case arises from allegations that the Electoral Bonds scheme, introduced under Sitharaman’s tenure, lacks transparency and enables anonymous political funding, raising concerns of corruption. A criminal complaint was filed accusing Sitharaman of abetting corruption by implementing a system that allegedly allows undisclosed corporate donations to political parties.
Court’s Rationale:
During the hearing, Sitharaman’s legal team argued that the Electoral Bonds scheme is a government policy decision, approved by Parliament, and does not constitute criminal conduct. They contended that the allegations are politically motivated and do not establish any prima facie offense.
The petitioners opposing the plea highlighted concerns about the potential misuse of the scheme, emphasizing the need for judicial scrutiny of the policy’s implementation and its implications for democratic integrity.
Existing Measures:
The Electoral Bonds scheme was introduced in 2018 as a measure to increase transparency in political funding. However, it has faced widespread criticism from civil society and opposition parties for enabling opacity in donations. The Supreme Court is also hearing a related case challenging the constitutionality of the scheme.
Conclusion:
The Karnataka High Court’s forthcoming decision will be pivotal in determining the future of the criminal case against Nirmala Sitharaman. It also adds to the larger debate on electoral transparency and accountability in political funding. The judgment could influence the broader judicial discourse on the legality of the Electoral Bonds scheme.