Electoral Bond Breaking: Now we will know who donated to which party

The Supreme Court ordered the State Bank of India to reveal the electoral bond numbers, highlighting the connection between donors and political parties. The court noted that SBI had not disclosed these numbers (unique alpha-numeric details) as required. It notified SBI, asking for a response by March 18. On March 12, the SBI submitted data on the bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The top court issued a notice to SBI for not revealing the bond numbers. It also ordered the ECI to return the electoral bonds data, which they had submitted in a sealed cover, once the data is scanned and digitised. The top court directed today that the data must be returned to the ECI by Saturday evening (March 16) and must be uploaded by Sunday evening.

"The judgment of the constitution bench clarified that all details of electoral bonds will be made available including date of purchase, name of purchaser, the denomination. It is submitted that SBI has not disclosed the electoral bond numbers (alphanumeric numbers). 'Notice be issued to SBI. We direct registry to issue notice to SBI returnable on Monday,'" the Court ordered.

The Supreme Court instructs the Registrar Judicial of the apex court to ensure the scanning and digitizing of documents. The Registrar will return the original documents to the ECI once the exercise is complete. Then, the ECI will upload them on the website on or before March 17.

Electoral bond scheme details shared

The bench invalidated the Electoral Bonds Scheme in February and instructed SBI to provide details of political parties receiving contributions through electoral bonds from April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Initially due by March 6, SBI requested an extension which the Supreme Court rejected on March 11. The court mandated SBI to submit the following electoral bond details to ECI:

• Purchaser's name
• Electoral bond denomination
• Details of each redeemed electoral bond by political parties, including encashment date

SBI submitted these details to ECI on March 12, which were then published on the ECI website on Thursday.

ECI subsequently requested the return of electoral bonds documents presented in sealed covers during court hearings, as they possess no other copies.

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