During the hearing of a petition challenging the perceived inadequacy of data provided by the SBI regarding electoral bond donations, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the need for complete transparency. He expressed dissatisfaction with the bank's previous data submissions and insisted on a thorough disclosure of all pertinent information within its possession.

The court directed the SBI chairman to submit an affidavit by Thursday, 5 pm, ensuring that no details related to electoral bonds have been withheld. Furthermore, it instructed the Election Commission to promptly upload the information once received from the SBI.

This development comes after the Supreme Court invalidated the electoral bond scheme last month, urging the bank to reveal all donation-related details from the past five years. The court had previously issued a notice to the SBI, highlighting the inadequacies in the data provided regarding electoral bond transactions.

CJI Chandrachud emphasized that the SBI must not adopt a selective approach in disclosing information and urged the bank to proactively share all relevant details without waiting for specific court orders. He underscored the importance of ensuring transparency and preventing any suppression of crucial data related to electoral bonds.

The SBI faced criticism earlier for not establishing a clear link between donors and recipients of electoral bonds. In response, the Supreme Court mandated the disclosure of bond "numbers." However, SBI's legal representative, Harish Salve, clarified that the alphanumeric figures on electoral bonds, visible only under UV light, serve as a security feature and are separate from the audit trail.

Salve justified the lack of direct linkage in the data provided, citing the bank's adherence to anonymity directives, which led to the separation of purchase and redemption data into distinct files.

Overall, the Supreme Court's directive underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability in electoral funding processes, particularly concerning electoral bonds and their impact on political contributions.

During the hearing of a petition challenging the perceived inadequacy of data provided by the SBI regarding electoral bond donations, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the need for complete transparency. He expressed dissatisfaction with the bank's previous data submissions and insisted on a thorough disclosure of all pertinent information within its possession.

The court directed the SBI chairman to submit an affidavit by Thursday, 5 pm, ensuring that no details related to electoral bonds have been withheld. Furthermore, it instructed the Election Commission to promptly upload the information once received from the SBI.

This development comes after the Supreme Court invalidated the electoral bond scheme last month, urging the bank to reveal all donation-related details from the past five years. The court had previously issued a notice to the SBI, highlighting the inadequacies in the data provided regarding electoral bond transactions.

CJI Chandrachud emphasized that the SBI must not adopt a selective approach in disclosing information and urged the bank to proactively share all relevant details without waiting for specific court orders. He underscored the importance of ensuring transparency and preventing any suppression of crucial data related to electoral bonds.

The SBI faced criticism earlier for not establishing a clear link between donors and recipients of electoral bonds. In response, the Supreme Court mandated the disclosure of bond "numbers." However, SBI's legal representative, Harish Salve, clarified that the alphanumeric figures on electoral bonds, visible only under UV light, serve as a security feature and are separate from the audit trail.

Salve justified the lack of direct linkage in the data provided, citing the bank's adherence to anonymity directives, which led to the separation of purchase and redemption data into distinct files.

Overall, the Supreme Court's directive underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability in electoral funding processes, particularly concerning electoral bonds and their impact on political contributions.