State Bank of India (SBI) filed an application in the Supreme Court to extend the deadline till June 30th. This led to nationwide protests by Congress, a petition in the Supreme Court against SBI by two Non-governmental organizations, and criticism from many opposition leaders. Amidst all this, SBI has deleted the documents related to electoral bonds from the website.
Supreme Court will hear SBI’s plea
The historical verdict on February 15th called the electoral bond scheme ‘unconstitutional’ and instructed SBI to provide details of all electoral bonds from 2019 to present by March 6th.
However, two days before the deadline, the bank filed an application seeking an extension of the deadline till June 30th to furnish information.
SBI claimed that it would need more time to decode and compile data on the electoral bond which contradicts the document published by the media, ‘The Reporter’s Collective’, that showed earlier that SBI had provided the information to the government within 48 hours.
The five judge bench of the Supreme Court will hear the banks plea on March 11th.
Electoral Bond-related Documents Missing on SBI’s Website
The webpages of ‘Operating Guidelines for Donors’ and ‘Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs’ are not available on the website of SBI.
‘Operating Guidelines for Donors’ is a gazette notification that provides basic information related to electoral bonds. Information like who could purchase an electoral bond, what documents are required to purchase electoral bonds, How to purchase, electoral bonds available in what denominations, and which SBI branches authorized for the purchase of bonds.
In FAQs, SBI provided information like KYC requirements, citizenship proof requirements for electoral bond purchase, etc.
Contempt Petition filed against SBI
Two NGOs, the Association of Democratic Reform or ADR and Common Cause, filed a petition seeking contempt action against SBI in the Supreme Court over the deadline extension application of SBI.
A Nationwide Protest against SBI by Opposition Parties
Congress organized a nationwide protest against SBI for failing to provide vital information about electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India (EC) on time.
Protest in Assam by Congress
On Wednesday, The Assam Congress staged a protest in front of SBI’s Northeast headquarters, situated opposite the Assam Secretariat on GS road.
It was led by Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress (APMC) president Mira Barthakur Goswami, demanding immediate disclosure of details of the electoral bond. Other members of the party, Pawan Khara and Mahima Singh, also participated and shouted slogans in front of SBI’s head office.
Protest in Tiruchy by Congress
On Thursday, Members of Congress held a protest in front of SBI of Chinthamani in Tiruchy, led by District Secretary Saavarnan. They accused the Modi government of misusing the bank for its gain and questioned SBI regarding a delay in the submission of information despite having the necessary infrastructure.
Protest in Jammu by Congress
On Thursday, JK Congress also participated in a nationwide protest against SBI and Modi government.
The protest was held at several district headquarters in the Jammu region, and Shaheedi Chowk witnessed strong protest with the participation of a large number of senior leaders and activists. It was led by working President JKPCC Raman Bhalla, accompanied by other senior leaders.
Protest in Mumbai by Congress
On Wednesday, several Congress leaders and workers including Mumbai Congress President Varsh Gaikwad protested against SBI in Mumbai and were booked for protesting without prior permission of police.
Congress youth wing also staged a protest outside Mantralaya on Madame Lama Road and a case was registered against its state unit Kunal Raut and 17 others at Marine Drive police station.
Protest by Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M)
CPI (M) on Tuesday, held a protest against SBI for application of time extension, called it an ‘obvious ploy’ of the Modi government to hide information ahead of Lok Sabha elections. CPI (M) said it is ‘unbelievable’ that SBI which possesses the necessary infrastructure and resources, cannot compile data on time.
Also READ : Electoral Bond case- Contempt plea filed against SBI over non-disclosure of details
