Supreme Court Slams SBI for Not Sharing Complete Data on Electoral Bonds

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday slammed the State Bank of India (SBI) for not sharing the complete data on electoral bonds.

The apex court had struck down the Electoral Bond scheme and directed the bank to share all details on the donations made in the last 5 years. This scheme allowed individuals and businesses to donate anonymously to political parties.

Hearing a petition by the Election Commission, the Supreme Court on Friday said that the data provided by the Supreme Court was incomplete.

The five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, directed SBI to disclose electoral bond numbers as well, in addition to the details it has already shared.

“Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India,” Chief Justice Chandrachud said right at the outset of the hearing.

In its notice to SBI, the Supreme Court bench has asked the bank to explain the lapse during the next hearing on March 18.

The electoral bond numbers would help establish the link between donors and political parties.