A Bengaluru court has ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, following allegations of extortion linked to the now-defunct electoral bonds scheme. The complaint, filed by Adarsh Iyer of the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane, accuses Sitharaman and others of exploiting the scheme for extortion purposes.
The court’s directive has led to the registration of the FIR against Sitharaman and several other individuals involved in the allegations. The electoral bonds scheme, introduced by the government in 2018, aimed to enhance transparency in political donations by replacing cash contributions with bonds. However, the scheme faced significant backlash, and in February, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional, stating it violated citizens’ rights to information regarding political funding.
In light of the developments, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called for Sitharaman’s resignation, questioning whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would take appropriate action. He has also demanded a comprehensive report on the issue within three months.
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy defended Sitharaman, criticizing the calls for her resignation by arguing that the electoral bond money did not benefit her personally. His comments reflect the ongoing division within the political landscape regarding the allegations.
The Congress party has also intensified its attacks on the BJP, demanding Sitharaman’s resignation and calling for a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry into the controversial electoral bonds scheme. The opposition party has accused Sitharaman of undermining democracy and has urged for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations thoroughly.
As the political drama unfolds, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for the BJP and its leadership.