3 days ago
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Anonymous Political Cash Donations
The Supreme Court will consider a case about money given to political parties.
Current rules allow parties to receive anonymous cash donations below Rs 2,000.
The person who filed the case says voters should know who funds political parties.
He wants every donor’s name and details to be disclosed.
He also wants political parties to stop accepting cash.
The petition asks the Election Commission to check parties’ donation reports more carefully.
It seeks possible action against parties that do not provide full information.
The case also refers to the court’s earlier decision against the electoral bonds scheme.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea challenging anonymous cash donations below Rs 2,000 to political parties.
Petitioner Khem Singh Bhati wants Clause (d) of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act struck down as unconstitutional.
The plea seeks a ban on cash contributions and disclosure of donors’ names and other details.
It asks the Election Commission to scrutinize contribution reports and act against parties that fail to provide complete information.
The petition also invokes the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision striking down the electoral bonds scheme.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, petitioner Khem Singh Bhati, the Centre, and the Election Commission are involved.
- What
- The court will hear a challenge to the Income Tax Act provision allowing anonymous cash donations below Rs 2,000 to political parties.
- Where
- The matter is before the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- When
- The hearing is scheduled for Monday; the report is dated August 30.
- Why
- The petition argues that undisclosed political funding prevents voters from making fully informed decisions.
Key facts
- Hearing
- Scheduled for Monday before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
- Challenged provision
- Clause (d) of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Donation threshold
- Anonymous cash donations below Rs 2,000 are at issue.
- Petitioner
- Khem Singh Bhati.
- Requested disclosure
- Political parties should disclose donors’ names and all other payment particulars.
- Election Commission request
- Scrutinize Form 24A contribution reports and act against parties that fail to provide complete details.
- Related ruling
- The petition refers to the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment striking down the electoral bonds scheme.
Quotes
Khem Singh Bhati’s plea
The petitioner in the Supreme Court case challenging anonymous cash donations to political parties
“The petitioner is seeking direction that the political parties must disclose the name and all other particulars of the person paying any amount of money to it, and no amount can be received in cash so as to maintain transparency in the political funding.”
theprint.in
Sources
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