 |
|
The Tilak Nagar police in Bengaluru, India, have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, and other officials for alleged irregularities and misuse of the electoral bond scheme. This action, taken on September 28, 2024, stems from a private complaint filed by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of the Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP), who accuses the accused of engaging in criminal conspiracy and extortion through the electoral bond system to favor the BJP.
The FIR charges the accused under sections 384 (punishment for extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 34 (acts done with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complaint alleges that Ms. Sitharaman, along with officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), coerced companies and individuals into purchasing electoral bonds for the BJP under the threat of raids and investigations. The complaint further claims that Ms. Sitharaman used the ED to conduct raids and arrests, pressuring companies into purchasing electoral bonds worth several crores. These bonds were then allegedly encashed by BJP leaders including J.P. Nadda, BJP Karnataka president B.Y. Vijayendra, and senior leader Naleen Kumar Kateel.
The complaint alleges that the total value of the extorted funds through this scheme surpasses ₹8,000 crore. Mr. Iyer claims that the entire extortion racket was orchestrated by BJP officials at various levels. He initially filed his complaint with the Tilaknagar police station in March 2024, and subsequently approached the DCP Bengaluru South East in April 2024. When no action was taken, Mr. Iyer filed a private complaint in court, seeking necessary directions from the Special Court dedicated to criminal cases involving elected MPs/MLAs in Karnataka.
The allegations against Ms. Sitharaman, BJP leaders, and ED officials raise serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the electoral bond scheme. The scheme, introduced in 2017, allows anonymous donations to political parties through bonds purchased from designated banks. While the scheme's proponents argue that it promotes transparency by removing the need for cash donations, critics have expressed concerns about its potential for money laundering and corruption. This case highlights the need for further scrutiny of the electoral bond system and its implications for democratic processes in India.
Source: FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman, Nadda and others in connection with electoral bond scheme