Sat Sep 28 17:58:50 UTC 2024: ## Finance Minister Sitharaman Faces FIR Over Electoral Bond Scheme

**Bangalore, India** – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been named in an FIR registered on Saturday in connection with the now-scrapped electoral bond scheme. The complaint was filed by Adarsh R Iyer, Co-President of ‘Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath’ (JSP), who alleges that Sitharaman, along with ED officials and BJP office-bearers, orchestrated an extortion scheme through the electoral bonds, benefitting the party to the tune of 8,000 crore rupees or more.

The FIR, registered under sections 384 (extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, follows an order from a special court. The complaint alleges that Sitharaman facilitated the extortion of thousands of crores of rupees, with the help of ED officials, for the benefit of the BJP at both state and national levels.

The Supreme Court in February struck down the electoral bond scheme, deeming it a violation of the right to information and freedom of speech and expression.

The FIR has ignited a political firestorm, with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing his own corruption allegations, calling for Sitharaman’s resignation. JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, however, questioned the need for Sitharaman to resign, arguing that she hasn’t personally benefitted from the alleged scheme.

BJP leader R Ashoka dismissed the allegations, claiming that the Congress lacks the moral right to comment on the matter and that the electoral bond case against Sitharaman is fundamentally different from the MUDA land case against Siddaramaiah.

The FIR against Sitharaman comes at a time when the BJP is facing increasing scrutiny over its use of electoral bonds. The party has maintained that the scheme was transparent and legal, but the allegations of corruption have cast a shadow over its credibility. The case is likely to be closely watched as it unfolds in the coming weeks and months.

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