Court Orders FIR Against N Sitharaman Over 'Extortion' Through Electoral Bonds

A Bengaluru Special Court has ordered the filing of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over allegations of extortion through the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. The complaint was filed by Adarsh Iyer of the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane (JSP), accusing Ms Sitharaman and others of orchestrating an extortion racket under the guise of electoral bonds.

A complaint filed in Bengaluru names not only Nirmala Sitharaman but also BJP President JP Nadda, and Karnataka BJP leaders Naleen Kumar Kateel and BY Vijayendra. The complaint alleges that corporate entities were coerced into purchasing electoral bonds to the tune of thousands of crores, citing raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as a pressure tactic. These electoral bonds were purportedly cashed by BJP leaders at both national and state levels.

The complaint claims that the electoral bonds scheme facilitated the accumulation of illicit funds for political purposes, with Ms Sitharaman and other senior BJP leaders involved in the process.

The BJP has defended Nirmala Sitharaman, distancing itself from the allegations. The party argued that the charges are politically motivated and that the electoral bonds issue is a policy matter, not a criminal one. 

Reacting to the case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded Nirmala Sitharaman's resignation and said a report in the matter should be submitted within three months.

Siddaramaiah said, "An FIR has been registered against Nirmala Sitharaman in the Special Court for People's Representatives. Who is she? She is a Union Minister, and there is an FIR against her too. They were involved in extortion through electoral bonds and the FIR has been registered on that. She should tender her resignation after the FIR has been registered. Will they (BJP) ask her to resign?"

He continues, "In my case, the lower court has passed an order. The Governor has asked for an inquiry under Section 17A, and the court has directed that the investigation be completed and a report should be submitted within three months." “In the election bond extortion case, PM Modi should also tender his resignation. Nirmala Sitharaman should resign as well. Kumaraswamy is out on bail and he should resign," he said.

Notably, Siddaramaiah will also be probed under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the MUDA case.