SCBA Condemns Chief’s Letter to President Murmu Over Electoral Bonds Verdict
The SCBA chief urged President Droupadi Murmu to seek a presidential reference for the apex court’s judgment on the electoral bonds scheme case, emphasizing the importance of clarifying legal aspects and ensuring transparency in electoral financing.
On Tuesday, the executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association distanced itself from SCBA chief Adish C Aggarwala’s letter, which requested a presidential reference for the apex court’s judgment on the electoral bonds scheme case. The association criticized the letter, deeming it an infringement on the Supreme Court’s authority.
Adish C Aggarwala, also the chairperson of All India Bar Association, penned a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her not to implement the verdict in the electoral bonds scheme case until the top court rehears the matter. He also advocated for seeking a presidential reference on the issue.
Aggarwala stated in his letter to the President that disclosing the names of corporate donors to political parties could expose them to potential victimization.
“The likelihood of these corporates facing targeting by political parties that received lesser contributions from them, leading to harassment, cannot be discounted if their names and donation amounts are disclosed. This would violate the commitment made to them upon accepting their voluntary contributions.”
He said, “Disclosing such sensitive information, that too retrospectively, will result in chilling effect in corporate donations and participation in the democratic process.”
Although the letter was printed on the letterhead of the All India Bar Association, it displayed Aggarwala’s title as President of the SCBA beneath his signature.
“The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association finds it necessary to emphasize that its members neither authorized the President to write such a letter nor do they support the views expressed therein,” stated the resolution signed by SCBA secretary Rohit Pandey.
“The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association considers this action, along with its contents, as an attempt to exceed boundaries and diminish the authority of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, and strongly condemns it,” it added.
