The Supreme Court on Friday (March 15) categorically stated that the State Bank of India (SBI) has to disclose electoral bonds numbers as well, in addition to the details it has already disclosed regarding the purchase and redemption of the bonds.
In the latest development in the court-mandated disclosure process concerning electoral bonds details, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud reconvened today to hear an application filed by the Election Commission. In its application, the ECI sought the return of sealed cover documents furnished by the commission to the court in adherence to its interim order.
In its application, the ECI sought the return of sealed cover documents furnished by the commission to the court in adherence to its interim order.
The bench disposed of the Election Commission’s application with no objection from any of the parties. It instructed the registrar general to ensure that the data filed by the commission is scanned and digitised by 5 PM tomorrow. Once this is complete, the original copy was directed be returned to the Election Commission of India. A copy of the scanned and digitised files will also be made available to them. Then, this data is to be uploaded on the Election Commission’s website.
Right at the outset of the hearing today, Chief Justice Chandrachud clarified, “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, arguing, “I am not appearing for the State Bank of India. But Your Lordships may issue notice to the SBI since they may have something to say. I feel that they need to be here.”
“Really speaking, we can take exception to what the SBI has disclosed,” the chief justice also countered. He also disapproved of the State Bank’s counsel not being present, to which SG Mehta said that they were not parties to the Election Commission’s application.
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