Giving a rude shock to the Union Finance Minister NIrmala Sitharaman, a Bengaluru Special Court has ordered the filing of an FIR against her over allegations of extortion through the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. The complaint was filed by Adarsh Iyer of the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane (JSP), accusing Ms Sitharaman and others of orchestrating an extortion racket under the guise of electoral bonds.
The court instructed the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru to investigate the allegations of extortion related to the electoral bond scheme, raising significant concerns over the financial practices associated with it. In its petition, the JSP to the Special Court of People’s Representatives, sought a direction to take action against the Union Minister.
The complaint claims that the electoral bonds scheme facilitated the accumulation of illicit funds for political purposes, with Ms Sitharaman and other senior BJP leaders involved in the process.
Following the court’s order, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly questioned the Karnataka BJP, While addressing a press conference on Friday, when they would start protesting against Sitharaman and demand her resignation in connection with the alleged “scam.”
Siddaramaiah also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if there was any impartial investigation done into the matter, as well as the resignation of Union Minister and BJP leader HD Kumaraswamy.
However, the BJP has defended Nirmala Sitharaman, distancing itself from the allegations. The party argued that the charges are politically motivated and that the electoral bonds issue is a policy matter, not a criminal one. The BJP also attacked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the ongoing MUDA case.
“Mr Siddaramaiah is a habitual offender when it comes to cooperating with the investigation agencies. There were 106 cases against Congress leaders, and among those, 64 were absolutely on Mr Siddaramaiah when he was the Chief Minister of Karnataka the last time,” said Dr Sudha Halkai, BJP spokesperson.
Following this, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his demands for the resignation of him and Nirmala Sitharaman and asked if the electoral bond money went into her “personal account.”
“CM asking for my and Nirmala Sitharaman’s resignation? Yes, the Court asked to file an FIR but did that electoral bond money go to her personal account? Why should she resign and why should I resign?” the former Karnataka chief minister said.