An FIR has been registered against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by a Bengaluru court on the grounds that she was allegedly subjected to extortion through the now-canceled electoral bonds.
Adarsh Iyer of the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane filed a case against Nirmala Sitharaman and others, claiming that electoral bonds were used as a means of extortion.
In light of this, the Bengaluru Special Court for People’s Representatives has mandated that a formal complaint be made on the situation. Nirmala Sitharaman and others are the targets of a FIR that the police have filed.
The electoral bonds program was abandoned by the Supreme Court in February after it was deemed “unconstitutional” and found to have violated the right to knowledge of the people. In an effort to increase political finance transparency, the Center launched the program in 2018 with the goal of replacing financial contributions to political parties.
In response to the case, Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah called for Nirmala Sitharaman’s resignation and stated that a report on the issue needed to be turned in within three months.
“An FIR has been filed in the Special Court for People’s Representatives against Nirmala Sitharaman. Who is she? She is a Union Minister, and she is also the subject of a formal complaint. An FIR has been filed over their involvement in election bond extortion. After filing the FIR, she ought to submit her resignation. Will the BJP request that she step down?” He stated.
“Now, in accordance with Prevention of Corruption Act Section 17A, the investigation needs to be finished and a report needs to be turned in within three months. They have filed a FIR and are doing additional investigation as a result,” he continued.
Public employees are further shielded from pointless investigations by Section 17A. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a police officer is required to obtain prior consent from a responsible authority before beginning any inquiry or investigation into an alleged public servant offense.
“The lower court issued an order in my case. The court has ordered that the probe be finished and a report be filed within three months after the Governor requested an inquiry under Section 17A,” Siddaramaiah stated.
Notably, Siddaramaiah will also be investigated for purported anomalies in the MUDA case under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Accusing JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy of corruption, Siddaramaiah also made demands on him.
“Let Kumaraswamy step down first. Would he not also have to submit his resignation? First, let them step down. PM Narendra Modi ought to step down as well. PM Modi ought to step down as well in the election bond extortion issue. Furthermore, Nirmala Sitharaman ought to step down. He stated, “Kumaraswamy ought to step down as he is free on bond.