Electoral Bonds Disclosure: SC’s Limited Scope Raises Questions

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to restrict full disclosure of electoral bonds to those purchased after April 2019, leaving out details from March 2018 to April 2019, has sparked debates and raised concerns about transparency in political funding.

Despite the court’s acknowledgment of the electoral bonds scheme’s unconstitutionality, information about a significant portion of bonds bought and encashed during its initial year will remain undisclosed. The dismissal of a plea by an NGO seeking complete disclosure further accentuates the issue, with the court deeming the request as “not maintainable.”

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud’s explanation regarding the scope of the court’s previous judgment underscores the complexity of the matter, particularly regarding the interpretation of subsequent orders. With questions lingering over the rationale behind limiting disclosure, the need for comprehensive transparency in political funding continues to be a pressing concern for democracy.