The Supreme Court has assured advocate Prashant Bhushan that a petition to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of quid pro quo, corruption, and kickbacks in electoral bond disclosures will be heard soon. The petition, filed by Common Cause and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, alleges that investigative agencies like the CBI, ED, and I-T Department have been compromised, as several companies under investigation have made substantial donations to the ruling party. The investigation aims to uncover the conspiracy involving company officials, government officials, political party functionaries, and potentially corrupt agency officers.
The petition cites reports and data mining done by The Hindu and other media outlets, which reveal that the bulk of the bonds appear to have been given as quid pro quo arrangements by corporates to political parties. The investigation would need to unravel the entire conspiracy in each instance and hold accountable all involved parties, including those within the investigative agencies.
The Supreme Court’s assurance to list the petition soon is a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in electoral funding. The findings of the SIT investigation have the potential to expose systemic corruption and strengthen the integrity of the justice system.
