New Delhi: The State Bank of India (SBI) informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it has provided all electoral bonds data, including the alpha-numeric identification details associated with such bonds, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

In a recent affidavit submitted in compliance with the apex court's order dated March 18, SBI confirmed that it has furnished all necessary information to the poll body.

The affidavit outlined the details as follows:

- The purchaser's name

- The denomination and specific number of the bond

- The political party that has encashed the bond

- The last four digits of the bank account number of political parties

- The denomination and number of the bond encashed

As per the Supreme Court's directives, the ECI is now required to upload this data on its website.

The electoral bonds scheme, which allowed donors to anonymously contribute funds to a political party by purchasing bearer bonds from SBI, was introduced through the Finance Act, 2017. This amendment affected three other statutes - the Reserve Bank of India Act, the Income Tax Act, and the Representation of People Act.

Several petitions challenging at least five amendments made to different statutes through the Finance Act, 2017 were filed before the Supreme Court. Petitioners argued that these changes paved the way for unlimited and unchecked funding of political parties.

On February 15, after nearly seven years, the Court invalidated the Electoral Bonds Scheme and directed SBI to provide details of the political parties that received contributions through such bonds from April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Rejecting SBI's request for an extension on March 11, the Supreme Court directed the bank to disclose the following details for each electoral bond purchased:

- Name of purchaser

- Denomination of electoral bonds

- Details of each electoral bond redeemed by political parties, including the date of encashment

On March 15, the Court observed that SBI had not disclosed the bond numbers. Subsequently, on March 18, the Court instructed SBI to disclose all relevant information regarding electoral bonds, including the details of the alpha-numeric numbers attached to such bonds.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Mangaluru (Karnataka), May 4 (PTI): A case has been registered against BJP MLA Harish Poonja for allegedly making a provocative speech during the Brahmakalashotsava (consecration ceremony) at the Gopalakrishna Temple in Thekkaru village in Dakshina Kannada district.

According to the police, complainant Ibrahim S B has alleged that Punja made derogatory remarks against the Muslim community and allegedly attempted to incite communal hatred through his speech.

The speech in question was reportedly delivered in the presence of a gathering during the religious event.

The complaint stated that the content of the speech could sow discord between religious communities and disturb communal harmony in the region.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case under sections 196 and 352(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the new Indian criminal code that recently replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.