FIR registered against FM Sitharaman over electoral bonds extortion allegations

A case was registered on Saturday (September 28) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on the directions of a special court in Bengaluru, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme.

According to police, an FIR was registered under sections 384 (punishment for extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ED officials, office-bearers of the BJP at state and national level, based on the order of a special court.

Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of the 'Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath' (JSP), filed a complaint, alleging that Sitharaman, along with other officials, was involved in running an "extortion" scheme using the electoral bonds. He alleged that the accused "committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds and benefitted to the tune of 8,000 and more crore of rupees."

The complainant also accused several prominent BJP leaders, including BJP President JP Nadda, Karnataka BJP leaders Naleen Kumar Kateel, and BY Vijayendra, of coercing companies into purchasing electoral bonds worth thousands of crores of rupees.

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The Supreme Court in February had struck down the electoral bond scheme, saying it violates the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.

Accusations

Sitharaman and her fellow BJP members are accused of using the scheme to collect illegal funds for political activities.

The BJP, however, has strongly denied the accusations, calling them politically motivated. Party representatives argue that the issue of electoral bonds is a policy matter, not a criminal offence. Additionally, the BJP has criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is embroiled in a controversy involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka said the Congress doesn't have moral right to comment on the Union Finance Minister, and there can be no comparison between the electoral bond issue against her and MUDA case against Siddaramaiah.

"....(electoral bond) issue is over, it has been decided by the Supreme Court, and our leader will take necessary action in accordance with law (in connection with FIR). Where is the comparison to a case where you (Siddaramaiah) used the government (land) for personal benefit, to this (electoral bonds case)..." he said.

Multiple investigations

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Dr. Sudha Halkai pointed out that Siddaramaiah has faced multiple investigations in the past and accused him of evading cooperation with investigative agencies. She highlighted that, during his previous term as Chief Minister, there were numerous cases filed against him and other Congress leaders.

Under scrutiny after an FIR was lodged against him in the MUDA case, Siddaramaiah questioned why leaders like Sitharaman and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who also faces corruption allegations, haven't been asked to resign. He argued that the same standards should apply to all leaders facing legal probes.

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The Lokayukta police have now registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife, and other relatives in connection with the alleged illegal allocation of MUDA sites.

(With agency inputs)