electoral bonds
ACJ said the entry was finalised for its stunning exposure of how easily an elected government can subvert the checks and balances fundamental to a democracy.
The BJP raised Rs 2,410 crore during 2018-19, of which Rs 1,450 crore came as donations through electoral bonds, according to an ADR analysis.
Documents reveal that all the costs associated with electoral bonds are paid from the Consolidated Fund of India, which includes all tax revenues.
However, the bank regularly shares updates on the controversial funding scheme with the finance ministry, documents reveal.
Documents obtained under RTI also reveal that crucial discussions on allowing shell companies to secretly fund political parties were not officially recorded.
The top court bench has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission within two weeks on a plea seeking stay on the electoral bond scheme.
Reports show the BJP raised Rs2,410 crore ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, of which 60% was through electoral bonds.
HuffPost India’s series on electoral bonds by Nitin Sethi had revealed that the government lied that donors requested anonymity due to fear of political retribution.
The Association for Democratic Reforms filed an application in the Supreme Court, citing documents acquired by multiple RTI activists including Lokesh Batra.
Journalist Nitin Sethi has uploaded all the documents obtained by transparency activist Lokesh Batra through RTI, which formed the basis of the six-part investigative series published last week by 'HuffPost India'.