Karnataka High Court Halts Probe Against Nirmala Sitharaman in Electoral Bond Case

The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim stay on the investigation against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others concerning irregularities in the electoral bond scheme. The case, challenged by BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, will be heard next on October 22. The scheme was previously struck down by the Supreme Court.

The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted the investigation against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others over alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped electoral bond scheme. The interim order was issued by Justice M Nagaprasanna on a petition from BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is also named in the FIR. The court will hear the matter again on October 22.

The FIR was filed following a special court's directive after a complaint from Adarsh R Iyer, Co-President of 'Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath' (JSP), alleging that the accused engaged in extortion under the guise of electoral bonds, benefiting to the tune of 8,000 crores of rupees. Among the accused are Enforcement Directorate officials and BJP office-bearers at state and national levels. Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra is also named in the FIR.

Adarsh R Iyer's complaint asserts that Sitharaman, with the support of ED officials, orchestrated an extortion scheme benefiting various BJP officials. The Supreme Court had struck down the electoral bond scheme in February, citing violations of the right to information and freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.

(With inputs from agencies.)