Supreme Court Directs SBI to Furnish all Details of Electoral Bonds by March 21

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) to disclose all ‘conceivable’ details available with it regarding electoral bonds, including the alphanumeric number corresponding to each bond, by March 21.

The Supreme Court asked why the State Bank of India (SBI) did not provide “all details” of electoral bonds while hearing the pleas related to the disclosure of unique alphanumeric numbers in compliance of its directions.

The apex court remarked, “…There is no manner of doubt that the SBI is required to furnish all details available with it. This, we clarify, will include the alphanumeric number and serial number, if any, of the bonds purchased. In order to avoid any controversy in the future, the chairperson of the bank should file an affidavit by 5 PM on Thursday that it has disclosed all details in its custody and that no details have been withheld.”

The Court stated that its February 15 judgment mandated the SBI to disclose “all details” including the date of purchase/redemption, name of purchaser/recipient, and the denomination. The use of the word “including” means that the details specified in the judgment are illustrative and not exhaustive.

The Court further directed that the Election Commission of India should upload on its website the details received from the SBI forthwith upon their receipt.

Earlier, the Supreme Court dismissed an application by the SBI requesting an extension of time to furnish electoral bonds details.

Following the court’s censure, the SBI submitted the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI) in compliance with its directives. The details were provided in two separate information packets – the first containing details of the purchasers of the electoral bonds, and the second containing names of the political parties who have encashed these bonds with all the requisite details.