Niramala Sitharaman FIR: In a significant development, a Bengaluru court has directed the registration of an FIR against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in connection with allegations of extortion through the electoral bonds scheme. Following this order, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has intensified his demands for Sitharamans resignation, along with calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and HD Kumaraswamy to step down as well.Court orders FIR in electoral bonds caseThe controversy stems from a complaint filed by Adarsh Iyer of Janadhikar Sangharsh Sangathan, who alleged that extortion had been carried out through the electoral bonds scheme. The courts order, passed on September 28, 2024, mandates that a case be registered against Sitharaman and others involved. In response, Siddaramaiah has called for swift action, emphasizing that a report should be submitted within three months.Siddaramaiah demands resignationsSiddaramaiah took to social media, issuing a post in Kannada, where he questioned whether BJP members would demand Sitharamans resignation and organize protests over the issue. He further stressed that an investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act should be completed promptly, and the findings be submitted within the stipulated three months.In his post, he highlighted the courts directive, stating, “The lower court has passed the order in my case. The Governor has asked for an investigation under Section 17A, and the court has directed that the report be submitted within three months.”Section 17A and the Prevention of Corruption ActSection 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act provides additional protections to public officials, requiring police to obtain approval from a competent authority before investigating any alleged misconduct by public servants. This provision, introduced in 2018, aims to safeguard officials from baseless investigations.The courts order to probe Sitharaman comes at a time when a separate investigation under Section 17A has been initiated against Siddaramaiah himself, in relation to alleged irregularities in the MUDA case.Electoral bonds scheme declared unconstitutionalThe controversy around electoral bonds isnt new. Earlier this year, in February, the Supreme Court declared the Electoral Bond Scheme unconstitutional, ruling that it violated citizens right to information. The scheme, introduced by the central government in 2018, was initially intended to replace cash donations to political parties with the aim of increasing transparency in political funding.However, the Supreme Courts decision to strike down the scheme has intensified debates around political transparency and corruption, adding weight to the current allegations against Sitharaman and others.Whats nextWith the FIR now registered, political tensions are expected to rise, as opposition parties seek to capitalize on the allegations. The courts directive has placed a spotlight on the governments handling of political donations, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral bonds scheme. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on how the government responds to these serious accusations.
