Electoral bond case: Setback for SBI and Centre, SC directs SBI to file affidavit with details including bonds’ unique alphanumeric numbers

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court criticized State Bank of India (SBI) in the electoral bond case. The court said the stand that all information can be disclosed only if they demand it is not acceptable and ordered to give the bonds unique alphanumeric numbers corresponding to each bond.

The court was hearing the Election Commission's plea that the SBI had provided incomplete information regarding donations received by political parties through electoral bonds. The court directed the SBI to produce all details of the donations received in the last five years. The court also asked that the number be released in the return of the bonds.

Meantime, SBI informed the court that they are ready to provide the number in the electoral bond case. The court asked the bank how it would know that the bonds were not fake and disclosed everything and directed the bank to file an affidavit within Thursday. The court also directed the Election Commission to publish the information provided by SBI. The directive was given by the five-member bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.

Meanwhile, various industrial organizations have applied to join the case. They demanded to postpone the publication of the number. The court replied that the industrial organizations cannot be heard now. The court also asked why they did not come at the time of hearing. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the industry associations.