Supreme Court Lists Plea Challenging Centre's Recent Notification Allowing Electoral Bonds' Sale Along With Main Matter

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, agreed to hear a petition raising additional issues, inter alia, regarding the recent notification of the Union Government which authorised the sale of fresh tranche of electoral bonds for the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. It will also hear an application for additional grounds in the plea challenging the provisions of Finance Act 2017 which paved the way for electoral bonds. The Apex Court will hear the application along with the main matter concerning electoral bonds. "We'll hear IA with the main matter", a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said. The bench was considering a writ petition filed by Congress leader Dr.Jaya Thakur. A few petitions are pending in the Supreme Court challenging the provisions of Finance Act 2017 which paved the way for anonymous electoral bonds. On October 14, a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna had posted those petitions to December 6. In March 2021, the Supreme Court had rejected an application to stay the sale of electoral bonds ahead of the assembly polls in certain states. Last week (Monday), the present petition and the application was mentioned before the Bench led by the Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud for urgent listing. The Senior Counsel sought urgent listing saying that the sale of Electoral Bonds will be over soon. The CJI assured the Senior Counsel that the Bench would list the matter. As per the notification, the sale of electoral bonds is allowed from November 9 to November 15. On Tuesday, the Senior Counsel appearing for the applicant informed the Bench comprising CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice J.B. Pardiwala that some additional grounds have been urged in the present application. He requested the Bench to take up the matter on 6th December, 2022 when the main matter is listed. "We have taken some extra grounds. We are requesting it to be taken with the main petition. It is listed on 6th December." The Senior Counsel beseeched the Bench to issue notice in the present petition, but the CJI, Chandrachud stated - "We'll first tag it with the other matter and then issue notice. Let's see what happens in the main matter."Case Title : Dr. Jaya Thakur vs Union of India W.P.(C) No. 975/2022 PIL-WClick Here To Read/Download Order

Supreme Court Lists Plea Challenging Centre's Recent Notification Allowing Electoral Bonds' Sale Along With Main Matter

Sohini Chowdhury

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