FIR against Sitharaman over poll bond complaint
A case was registered on Saturday against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on the directions of a court here, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme.
According to the police, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Nirmala Sitharaman, ED officials and office-bearers of the BJP at the state and national level. The action came on the order of a special court. BJP’s Karnataka chief BY Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel have also been named in the FIR.
The complaint was lodged by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of ‘Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath’ (JSP), who alleged that the accused “committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds and benefitted to the tune of more than Rs 8,000 crore”.
The complainant further alleged that Sitharaman, through the clandestine aid and support of ED officials, facilitated extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of others, both at the state and national level. “The entire extortion racket under the garb of electoral bonds has been orchestrated hand in glove with officials of BJP at various levels.” The Supreme Court in February had struck down the electoral bond scheme, saying it violates the Right to Information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah, whose resignation is sought by the opposition BJP as an FIR was registered against him over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, said: “According to BJP leaders’ argument, Sitharaman should resign now, right?” Responding to this, JD(S) leader and central minister HD Kumaraswamy said: “Why should she resign? Have electoral bond funds gone to Sitharaman’s personal account? Has she misused power and benefited herself like you.” Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka said the Congress had no moral right to comment on Sitharaman.
