Supreme Court of India, Indian rupee.
Credit: PTI, Reuters Photo
SC to decide whether SBI should disclose bond's unique numbers
The Supreme Court will decide on the disclosure of unique numbers by the State Bank of India (SBI) today at 10:30 am.
On Friday, the apex court issued notice to the SBI for not disclosing complete details of the Electoral Bonds, which includes the unique alfa numeric numbers.
What are unique alfa numeric numbers?
Unique alfa numeric numbers are printed on each bond issued by the SBI. These numbers are used to match each donation with the political party that received it.
Fresh plea filed in SC
A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the State Bank of India (SBI) to furnish to the Election Commission all the details of the Electoral Bonds sold for the period from March 1, 2018 till April 11, 2019 including the alpha numeric number, date of purchase, denomination and the name of the donor and the political parties within a time frame.
More on Electoral Bonds
As we get the latest updates on the Supreme Court hearing for you, check out more stories on the highly debated Electoral Bonds here.
Sample of SBI electoral bond.
Credit: DH Pool Photo
Appearing for FICCI, ASSOCHAM, Mukul Rohatgi demands deferment of the issue of grant of numbers
Rohatgi was shut down by the CJI who said, "You have come here after the judgment is delivered, we can't hear you right now."
Justice Gavai further added that the 'world world knew that the proceedings was going on."
We can't make an exception for you, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.CJI D Y Chandrachud
Entire judgment delivered 'behind the back of the citizens', says Mathews Nedumpara
To Nedumpara's argument, CJI replied, "Don't shout at me. If you want to move an application, file an application. WE ARE NOT HEARING YOU."
Justice Gavai threatened Nedumpara with contempt notice.
CJI labels SCBA president's letter a 'publicity stunt'
SCBA president Adhish Aggarwala, wrote to the CJI seeking suo motu review of the Electoral Bonds verdict on Friday.
In reply to his letter, CJI said, "Mr.Aggarwala, apart from being a senior advocate, you are President of SCBA. You know the procedure. You wrote a letter to me."
These are for publicity, lets leave it at it. I don't want to say more.CJI D Y Chandrachud
SBI can't be selective in disclosing all details, attitude does not seem 'fair': CJI
CJI told SBI that it cannot be 'selective' in disclosing details and that it should not wait for the orders of the court for the same.
He further said that SBI's attitude of "You tell us what to disclose, we will disclose" does not seem fair.
"When we say all details", it includes all conceivable data, CJI asserted.
SBI's attitude of 'You tell us what to disclose, we will disclose' does not seem fair.CJI D Y Chandrachud
Sr Adv Harish Salve, appearing for the SBI begins explaining the bank's understanding of the order
Salve referred to the order of April 19, 2023 when ECI was asked to give information from political parties in sealed cover.
CJI responded by making sure that the counsel is not arguing a case for a political party.
If the numbers are there, we will give it: SBI counsel
Salve said that the bank will give details 'if the numbers are there'.
CJI asked, "tell us in what format the data on purchase and redemption is stored by the SBI".
Salve responded by saying that the bank was under the 'dictate of anonymity' at that time.
"What is the format?", asks CJI
SBI shall disclose the bond numbers, file an affidavit stating that no information has been suppressed, SC tells SBI
"Assuming you construed our judgment with the interim order, the interim order has merged with the final order, which said 'all details'", CJI said.
Salve said that SBI will disclose all data, and said that the 'media is behind us'
SBI shall disclose the bond numbers, file an affidavit stating that no information has been suppressed.CJI D Y Chandrachud
He further added saying, " Voter knowing is one thing. But if there are PILs saying investigate this and that, I don't think that is the intent of this Court's judgment."
We will give every bit of information we have. SBI is not holding back any information we have.Sr Advocate Harish Salve for SBI
Solicitor General disassociates with SCBA president Aggarwala's letter
On behalf of the Union of India, the Solicitor General disassociated himself with Adhish Aggarwala's letter to the CJI and labelled it 'completely unwarranted'.
The Court must be informed of the way its judgment is playing out: Solicitor General
Speaking about the social media commentary, Solicitior General said, "Now the witch-hunting has started at some other level, not at govt level. Those before the Court starting giving press interviews deliberately embarrassing the Court. A series of social media posts, at least intended to cause embarrassment, started."
To this concern CJI responded saying:
As an institution, our shoulders are broad enough to deal with social media commentary.CJI D Y Chandrachud
Once the judgment is declared, it is a property of the nation: CJI D Y Chandrachud
In the plea seeking details of the Electoral Bonds sold for the period from March 1, 2018 till April 11, 2019, Prashant Bhushan argued that ECI has disclosed the sealed covers and some of the smaller parties have disclosed the donors.
CJI D Y Chandrachud shut his argument saying that there is no need to go into that and 'onced the judgement is declare, it is a property of the nation'.
If we have to go back to earlier date, it will become review of the judgment: CJI
In response to Prashant Bhushan's request of disclosure of the date to start from the beginning, CJI D Y Chandrachud said that it would become a 'review of the judgement'.
CJI further said, "It will become a substantive modification of the judgment."
It can't be done in a Miscellaneous Application. We have to draw a line.CJI D Y Chandrachud
Mismatch between the numbers given by the SBI and ECI data: Prashant Bhushan
Bhushan said that there is a mismatch between numbers given by the SBI and ECI data and said that its explanation could be that the data is from April 12.
He further stated, "What is possible is some of them were purchased before April 12 and redeemed after that. But I just want to point out there is a mismatch."
The bench dismissed the MA as non maintainable.
No manner of doubt that SBI was required to disclose 'all details', rules SC
The Supreme Court ruled that SBI was required to disclose all details.
"This, we clarify, will include the alphanumeric number and the serial number, if any, of the bonds redeemed", the bench said.
SBI Chairman to file affidavit indicating disclosure of all EB details by March 21
The court directed SBI Chairman to file an affidavit indicating disclosure of all details of the Electoral Bonds by March 21, 5 pm.
"The Election Commission shall upload the details forthwith upon receipt of information from the SBI", the court ruled.