New Delhi, Mar 18:
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the State Bank of India to make a complete disclosure of all details related to electoral bonds, including the unique bond numbers that would disclose the link between the buyer and the recipient political party, by March 21.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said there is “no manner of doubt” that the SBI is required to disclose complete details of the bonds.
It directed the SBI chairman to file an affidavit before it by 5 pm on March 21 indicating that the bank has disclosed all the details.
Hearing pleas related to the disclosure of details of electoral bonds, a five-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, “SBI was expected to give every conceivable detail with it regarding the electoral bonds.”
“Your attitude seems to be ‘you tell us to give the details, then we will give’. SBI is not to be selective. SBI has to be candid and fair to the court,” the Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, orally said during the hearing.
The CJI added that the interim orders on the extent of disclosure of information regarding electoral bonds merge with the final judgment on February 15, 2024.
