New Delhi: The State Bank of India, in compliance with a strict directive from the Supreme Court, submitted the details of the electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India on Tuesday evening.
The poll panel will consolidate and publish the data by 5 pm on Friday, adhering to the court’s instructions. However, the bank’s Chairman and Managing Director has not yet submitted the affidavit confirming compliance with the court’s order. Although the affidavit is reportedly prepared, it has not been submitted to the court yet, the NDTV reported.
The Supreme Court, rejecting a plea by the State Bank of India – the nation’s largest bank, to extend the March 6 deadline for releasing the data, emphasized the bank’s “willful disobedience” of orders.
A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud warned the bank of potential contempt proceedings. Despite refraining from immediate contempt action, the court cautioned that such action could be pursued if the bank fails to comply with the specified timelines.
The bank had argued that collecting, verifying, and releasing the data, stored in two confidential “silos,” would require additional time.
“We need a little more time to comply. We were told this is supposed to be a secret,” the bank stated, requesting an extension until June 30. However, this deadline extends beyond the conclusion of the 2024 general election.
In response, the Supreme Court pointed out that donor details were readily available at the SBI’s Mumbai branch, suggesting a straightforward process of disclosure.
“We had not told you to do the matching exercise. We have asked you for a plain disclosure,” the Chief Justice admonished the SBI. In a significant ruling last month, the Supreme Court declared the electoral bond scheme “unconstitutional,” citing its infringement on citizens’ right to information.
The SBI had been directed to disclose data by March 6, with the poll panel tasked with making this information public by March 13.
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