New Delhi: Just months before the Lok Sabha election, the Supreme Court made a significant decision on Thursday by nullifying the Electoral Bond Scheme, which permitted anonymous funding to political parties. The judgement was delivered by a five-judge bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra. The apex court ruled that the Scheme infringes upon the right to information and could potentially result in quid pro quo. Additionally, the court remarked that the Electoral Bond Scheme is not the sole method to combat black money, suggesting the existence of alternative approaches.
The Aam Aadmi Party welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral bonds, asserting its significance in promoting transparency in election financing. Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi expressed the party’s approval, emphasizing the importance of knowing the source of funds for political parties. She highlighted that previously, electoral bonds obscured the identity of donors, hindering transparency in the democratic process.