Sun Sep 29 03:59:37 UTC 2024: ## Bengaluru Court Orders FIR Against Nirmala Sitharaman in Electoral Bond Case
A Bengaluru court has ordered the filing of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several others, including Enforcement Directorate officials, BJP office bearers, and Karnataka BJP leaders, over allegations of extortion through the now-scrapped electoral bonds.
Adarsh Iyer, complainant from Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad (JSP), alleges that the government misused its power to extract large sums of money from companies. He claims that the finance minister, ED officials, and BJP leaders pressured companies into making payments, effectively constituting extortion.
This action stems from a Supreme Court order mandating the State Bank of India to disclose data related to electoral bonds. Based on this data, investigations revealed a clear-cut case of extortion, leading JSP to file a complaint.
The court ordered the Tilak Nagar police station to register an FIR under Section 153 of the CrPC against Sitharaman, ED officials, BJP office bearers, former Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel, and current BJP state chief BY Vijayendra.
Several political leaders have reacted to the court order. Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh described the development as serious, calling for both the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister to take responsibility.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has demanded Sitharaman’s resignation, criticizing the Karnataka BJP for not protesting against her and demanding her resignation over the alleged scam. He also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister and BJP leader HD Kumaraswamy if an impartial investigation were to be conducted.
The allegations and the court order have sparked a political storm, with the opposition calling for accountability and transparency. The investigation into the alleged extortion scheme through electoral bonds is expected to be a major development in Indian politics.
First Piper 