Supreme Court Directs State Bank of India to Disclose Electoral Bond Numbers, Issues Notice
New Delhi : The Supreme Court has mandated that the State Bank of India (SBI) must disclose electoral bond numbers, in addition to the details it has already revealed regarding the purchase and redemption of the bonds.
In a recent development related to the disclosure process of electoral bond details, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra reconvened to hear an application filed by the Election Commission (ECI). The ECI sought the return of sealed cover documents submitted by the commission to the court as per its interim order.
The ECI clarified that it had not retained any copies of these documents to maintain confidentiality and requested the return of the sealed envelopes to proceed with necessary actions.
At the start of the hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud said, "One thing. Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to issue notice to the bank, stating, "I am not representing the State Bank of India. However, Your Lordships may issue notice to the SBI since they may have something to say. I believe they need to be present."
Responding to this, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal referred to the court's ruling, insisting that it was an 'inclusive' order requiring all relevant details to be provided.
Chief Justice Chandrachud also expressed disapproval that the State Bank's counsel was absent, stating that they were not parties to the Election Commission's application.
Despite initial reluctance, the Chief Justice, at the solicitor general's insistence, directed notice to be issued to the State Bank of India.
The bench also disposed of the Election Commission's application with no objections from any parties. The registrar general was instructed to scan and digitise the data filed by the commission by 5 PM the following day. Once completed, the original copies were to be returned to the Election Commission of India, with scanned copies also made available to them. The data was to be uploaded on the Election Commission's website.
Background:
This development arises from the Supreme Court's earlier ruling declaring the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional. In a landmark judgement on February 15, the bench led by Chief Justice Chandrachud struck down the scheme, stating that anonymous electoral bonds contravened the right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Following this, the State Bank of India, the issuing bank of electoral bonds, was directed to cease issuing these bonds immediately. The bank was also instructed to submit details of all bond purchases made since the court's interim order on April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India within three weeks, setting the deadline for March 6, 2024.
The State Bank of India submitted the electoral bond details to the Election Commission of India on March 12, complying with the court's order. The Election Commission then uploaded this data on its official website on March 14.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
