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Pune: In a big blow to Modi Government, the Supreme Court, the highest court of India, has rejected the electoral bonds scheme. The apex court today ruled that the scheme was unconstitutional. The Chief Justice of India delivered the all-important verdict today.
A five-member Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling, pointed out that the electoral bonds scheme violated the Right to Information under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Indian Constitution.
The scheme allowed anonymous donations to political parties. While striking down the scheme, the Supreme Court also rejected the amendments that were made to the Representation of People Act and the Income Tax Act. The amendments had made the donations anonymous.
The Central Government had been harping on its theme of doing away with the black money and had been devising various ways including implementation of the electoral bond scheme. The Supreme Court however did not agree with this view. ”The electoral bonds scheme cannot be justified on the grounds that it will help curb black money in politics. Transparency in political funding cannot be achieved through absolute exemptions,” the apex court said.
The Supreme Court also did not agree to the Central Government’s argument that anonymity in political donations is required to avoid retribution from other political parties.
Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict, Congress general secretary tweeted,”The Supreme Court has held the much-touted Electoral Bonds scheme of Modi Sarkar as violative of both laws passed by Parliament as well as the Constitution of India.”
