The Bengaluru police recently filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, unnamed Enforcement Directorate officials, national BJP leaders, and the former state BJP president. The FIR alleges extortion and criminal conspiracy related to the electoral bonds scheme, specifically accusing Sitharaman and others of coercing corporations to pay Rs 8,000 crore using the threat of Enforcement Directorate action.
The activist Adarsh Iyer from the Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP) filed a complaint alleging that companies like Sterlite and Vedanta were allegedly coerced into buying electoral bonds amounting to Rs 230.15 crore following several raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate.
Background of the Electoral Bonds Scheme
The electoral bonds scheme, introduced in 2018, allowed for anonymous political funding. However, in February 2024, the Supreme Court declared the scheme unconstitutional and ordered the disclosure of donors, donation amounts, and recipients.
Key Allegations
– Sitharaman and others allegedly extorted funds from corporations through the electoral bonds scheme.
– Corporations were allegedly coerced into buying electoral bonds to evade Enforcement Directorate action.
– The complaint includes an analysis of Enforcement Directorate actions and electoral bond purchases by private firms.
Political Implications
The filing of the FIR coincides with another controversy involving Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, who is facing allegations of corruption in a housing site grant. The opposition BJP is demanding his resignation, while the Congress may counter by seeking Sitharaman’s resignation over the electoral bonds FIR.
Court Directions
On September 27, a special court for elected representatives ordered the filing of an FIR. The Thilaknagar police complied by registering the FIR under Sections 384 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code.
FIR registered against Nirmala Sitharaman in electoral bonds controversy!
