In a pivotal ruling, the Supreme Court of India has delivered a unanimous verdict on the controversial electoral bond scheme. Chief Justice DV Chandrachud, addressing the nation, stressed the public’s responsibility to hold the government accountable for its actions. The decision follows three days of intensive hearings, with both Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justice Sanjiv Khanna providing a united front in their judgments.
Chief Justice Chandrachud underscored the violation of the right to information embedded in electoral bonds, asserting that it is the duty of the public to scrutinize the government on such critical matters. The court deemed the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional, citing its encroachment upon Article 19(1)(a) and the voters’ fundamental right to information. Consequently, the scheme is to be dismantled with immediate effect.
The petitioners had raised concerns about the lack of transparency in political funding facilitated by electoral bonds and its detrimental impact on the voters’ right to information. They argued against the scheme’s allowance for contributions via shell companies, raising questions about the authenticity and accountability of such transactions.
In the government’s defense of the electoral bond scheme, the central government asserted the necessity of maintaining donor anonymity to protect them from potential retaliation by political entities. The government maintained that funds were being channeled through legitimate banking avenues for political financing, emphasizing the legality of the process.
The Supreme Court’s unequivocal stance on the electoral bond scheme marks a significant development in the landscape of electoral transparency and accountability. The verdict sends a clear message about the importance of upholding democratic values, ensuring that political funding remains transparent and accountable to the citizens it serves.
