Youth Congress Protests and Legal Challenges Against Union Finance Minister Over Electoral Bond Scam

The Youth Congress protested outside Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s residence amid mounting legal challenges concerning the alleged electoral bond scam. Karnataka Law Minister H K Patil urged Prime Minister Modi to respond to this scandal, as the Karnataka High Court imposed an interim stay on an FIR against Sitharaman.

On Tuesday, the Youth Wing of the Congress Party staged a protest outside the residence of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, concerning the contentious 'electoral bond scam.' Karnataka Law Minister H K Patil on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the allegations involving Sitharaman and others.

Patil described the issue as a 'scandal' and noted that the Supreme Court had acknowledged it as such. He underscored that the scandal involving Rs 8000 crores has already surfaced in Karnataka and demanded a response from the Prime Minister.

In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court ordered an interim stay until October 22, 2024, on an FIR lodged against Sitharaman regarding alleged extortion through electoral bonds. The petition, initiated by former state BJP President Naleen Kumar Kateel, also named him as a co-accused.

Similarly, the High Court issued an interim stay on the FIR against the ex-Karnataka BJP Chief Naleen Kumar Kateel, who faces allegations of committing extortion under the pretext of electoral bonds. The next hearing is scheduled for October 22.

The court stated that permitting investigation at this stage would be an abuse of legal process. It emphasized the need to await the respondents' statements of objection before proceeding further. This interim order comes after a Bengaluru court mandated the filing of an FIR against Sitharaman and others for alleged extortion through electoral bonds.

The court order followed a petition by Adarsh Iyer of Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad (JSP) to the Special Court of People's Representatives, urging action against the Union Minister. Consequently, the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru was directed to register an FIR against Sitharaman for the alleged crime.

(With inputs from agencies.)