While striking down electoral bond scheme, Supreme Court suggested using electoral trusts introduced by Congress-led UPA, calling it an 'effective alternative' for political donations.
Both bodies flagged concerns before scheme's introduction, fearing it may be seen as 'facilitating' money laundering or that it could violate provisions under Representation of People Act.
Striking down electoral bonds scheme, SC said ‘chief reason for corporate funding of political parties is to influence political process which may in turn improve company’s performance’.
CJI-led bench disagrees with Centre’s argument that it is justified to infringe Right to Information of voters for larger purpose of curbing black money in electoral financing.
Supreme Court in its electoral bonds judgment observed that political 'contributions enhance access to legislators which translates into influence over policymaking'.
Verdict, which comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, says scheme violates right to information of citizens about possible quid pro quo between donor & political party receiving donation.
The scheme, notified by the government in 2018, was pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring in transparency in political funding.
A trial court acquitted the 3 in 2005, finding eyewitness accounts questionable, but Karnataka HC reserved the acquittal in May 2010. One of the 3 men died while appeal was pending in SC.
In review petition before court, state defended decision to not opt for review petition against SC's 2022 ruling that declared it appropriate state for granting remission to convicts.
Lookout circulars (LOCs), restrict one from leaving India for specified offences. HC quashed an LOC saying failure to pay Rs 7 cr bank loan 'wasn't detrimental to India’s economic interests'.
On 6 December 1948, TT Krishnamachari spoke in the Constituent Assembly during a debate on Article 19, supporting it as it is, including how it's framed in the matter of religion.
Extreme weather events have impacted 50% of corporate respondents to a recent survey. This underlines the importance of significant action now to increase climate resilience.
Iran used Shahab-3, along with Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles, to attack Israel after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah in air strikes on Lebanon's Beirut.
How come Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Sri Lanka remain constitutional, democratic and stable despite Islam and Buddhism respectively, but Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar don’t?
COMMENTS