FIR ordered against Sitharaman over 'extortion' through electoral bonds
A Special People's Court of Representatives in Bengaluru has ordered the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ETV Bharat reported. The complaint against Sitharaman and others was filed by Adarsh Iyer, Co-President of Janadhikar Sangharsa Parishad (JSP), alleging that they were involved in extortion through intimidation using the now-scrapped electoral bonds.
Court orders FIR against Sitharaman and others
The complaint lodged by Iyer also ropes in several high-profile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, such as party national president JP Nadda and former Karnataka president Nalin Kumar Kateel. Following the court's order, the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru has been told to file an FIR for extortion through election bonds. According to ETV Bharat, the hearing for this case has been pushed to October 10.
Karnataka CM demands Sitharaman's resignation amid allegations
Responding to the FIR order, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah called for Sitharaman's resignation. "There is an FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman as well in the people's representative court; who is she (Finance Minister) related to electoral bond? An FIR has been filed against her; shouldn't she also give her resignation?" Siddaramaiah said. The Supreme Court scrapped the electoral bonds scheme in February, calling it "unconstitutional."
Siddaramaiah demands report within 3 months
Siddaramaiah also called for a report on the matter within three months, citing Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. This section gives added protection to public servants from being investigated on frivolous grounds. "Now, as per Section 17A (of Prevention of Corruption Act), the investigation must be completed and a report should be submitted within three months," he said.
