Fundamental Right Upheld: Court Asserts Right to Information in Political Funding
New Delhi, 15 February, 24: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously to strike down the controversial Electoral Bond scheme, delivering a significant blow to the Central government's initiative. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, along with Justice Sanjiv Khanna, authored separate but concurring judgments, both asserting the unconstitutionality of the scheme.
The verdict, which comes in response to a series of petitions challenging the legality of the scheme, emphasizes the importance of transparency in the electoral process. The court declared that political parties are integral to the democratic framework, and therefore, information regarding their funding is indispensable for voters to make informed choices.
Citing violations of the Right to Information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, the court criticized the anonymity afforded by the Electoral Bond scheme, asserting that such secrecy undermines the democratic principles of accountability and transparency. Furthermore, the court highlighted concerns regarding the potential for corporate donors to influence political decisions through undisclosed contributions.
Prominent advocate Prashant Bhushan hailed the decision, stating, "The Supreme Court has struck down the Electoral Bond scheme... They have held that this violates the fundamental right to information of citizens to know about who is contributing money to political parties."
Petitioner Jaya Thakur, who initiated one of the challenges against the scheme, emphasized the importance of transparency, asserting that the scheme's lack of disclosure infringes upon citizens' rights. Thakur's petition emphasized the need for accountability in political funding, arguing against the secrecy provisions of the Electoral Bond scheme.
The court's ruling marks a significant victory for transparency advocates and sets a precedent for greater accountability in political financing. With the Electoral Bond scheme now deemed unconstitutional, it remains to be seen what steps the government will take to address concerns surrounding campaign finance transparency in the future.
