CJI Sanjiv Khanna’s brief six-month tenure was marked by significant reforms in judicial processes and transparency, addressing backlog issues and improving case listings. He maintained accountability within the judiciary and managed sensitive cases with composure. His leadership left the Supreme Court more stable and open, continuing the legacy of his predecessor.
The Supreme Court Bar Association publicly disavows President Adish Aggarwala’s request to the President of India for a presidential reference on the electoral bonds case, regarding it as an attempt to undermine the Supreme Court’s authority. This move raises concerns about the integrity and independence of legal institutions, leaving lingering questions about Aggarwala’s motivations.
The Supreme Court, led by CJI DY Chandrachud, will hear SBI’s plea on March 11 for an extension until June 30 to disclose electoral bond details from April 2019. This plea has implications for political funding transparency. The court will also address a contempt plea filed by ADR. The complexity of tracking and reporting these financial instruments is underscored.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has filed a contempt petition Today against the State Bank of India (SBI) for seeking an extension to disclose electoral bond details. This defiance of Supreme Court’s order and the ensuing legal battle reflects the struggle for transparency in political funding, with far-reaching implications for India’s political and financial systems.
Answers to Why State Bank of India (SBI) has requested an extension until June 30 to disclose the identities of Electoral Bond donors to the Election Commission, postponing the disclosure until after the Lok Sabha elections in April-May, are here. SBI outlined logistical challenges, highlighting the complexities involved in complying with the Supreme Court’s directive, emphasizing transparency while safeguarding donor anonymity.
The Supreme Court is delivering its verdict on the legality of electoral bonds, which allow anonymous contributions to political parties. The scheme, introduced in 2017, permits donors to anonymously donate funds to political parties by purchasing bearer bonds from the State Bank of India. The petitions challenging the amendments made through the Finance Act, 2017, argue for transparency in political funding.