Case against Nirmala Sitharaman over ‘extortion’ through electoral bonds

A Bengaluru court has ordered the registration of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over allegations of extortion through the now-scrapped electoral bonds.
A complaint against Nirmala Sitharaman and others was filed by one Adarsh Iyer from the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane, alleging that extortion was carried out through electoral bonds.
Following this, the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru has ordered an FIR to be filed in the matter. Police have registered the FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman and others.
In February, the Supreme Court scrapped the electoral bonds scheme, calling it “unconstitutional” and saying it violated citizens’ right to information. The Centre introduced the scheme in 2018 and was aimed to replace cash donations to political parties, seeking to improve transparency in political funding.
Reacting to the case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded Nirmala Sitharaman’s resignation and said a report in the matter should be submitted within three months.
“An FIR has been registered against Nirmala Sitharaman in the Special Court for People’s Representatives. Who is she? She is a Union Minister, and there is an FIR against her too. They were involved in extortion through electoral bonds and the FIR has been registered on that. She should tender her resignation after the FIR has been registered. Will they (BJP) ask her to resign?” he said.
“Now, as per Section 17A (of Prevention of Corruption Act), the investigation must be completed and a report should be submitted within three months. Based on that, they have registered the FIR and are investigating further,” he added.
Section 17A provides additional protection for public servants from being probed on a frivolous basis. The provision makes it mandatory for a police officer to seek prior approval from a competent authority for conducting any enquiry or investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
“In my case, the lower court has passed an order. The Governor has asked for an enquiry under Section 17A, and the court has directed that the investigation be completed and a report should be submitted within three months,” Siddaramaiah said.
Notably, Siddaramaiah will also be probed under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the MUDA case.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah also demanded JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, accusing him of corruption.
“First, let Kumaraswamy resign. Shouldn’t he tender his resignation too? Let them resign first. Even PM (Narendra) Modi should resign. In the election bond extortion case, PM Modi should also tender his resignation. Nirmala Sitharaman should resign as well. Kumaraswamy is out on bail and he should resign,” he said.