Sun Sep 29 06:59:29 UTC 2024: ## Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Faces FIR in Bengaluru Over Electoral Bonds Scheme
**Bengaluru, India:** A special court in Bengaluru has ordered the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several others, including prominent BJP figures, in connection with the now-abolished electoral bonds scheme. The case, filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), accuses Sitharaman of extortion and criminal conspiracy.
The complaint, filed by Adarsh R Iyer of the “Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath,” alleges that the accused used the electoral bonds scheme as a means to extort over ₹8,000 crore. Iyer further claims that Sitharaman, aided by officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), facilitated the diversion of vast sums of money to benefit individuals across state and national levels.
The FIR also implicates key BJP figures including Karnataka President B. Y. Vijayendra and party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel.
The controversy has sparked a political battle in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, facing his own accusations in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, has called for Sitharaman’s resignation and criticized the BJP for not taking action against her alleged involvement.
The case against Sitharaman and others is expected to escalate tensions between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP in the state.
First Piper 