A significant development in Indian politics has unfolded with the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. The FIR, filed on September 28, 2024, at the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru, is based on a court order issued by a special court in the city.
The complaint, filed by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP), alleges that Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, and senior leader Naleen Kumar Kateel were involved in an extortion racket under the guise of the electoral bond scheme. The scheme, which was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, is accused of being used to coerce companies into purchasing electoral bonds, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting raids as a pressure tactic.
The FIR charges the accused under sections 384 (punishment for extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 34 (acts done with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It is alleged that the accused collected over ₹8,000 crore through this scheme, with specific instances mentioned involving companies like Vedanta and Aurobindo Pharma.
Political Reactions and Defenses
The BJP has defended Nirmala Sitharaman, labeling the allegations as politically motivated. The party argued that the electoral bond issue is a policy matter rather than a criminal one. BJP spokesperson Dr. Sudha Halkai also countered by highlighting ongoing cases against Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing an FIR in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called for Nirmala Sitharaman's resignation, drawing parallels with his own situation. However, JD(S) leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy defended Sitharaman, questioning why she should resign if the electoral bond funds did not go into her personal account.
The case has ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties demanding Sitharaman's resignation. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 10, 2024, to further investigate the allegations.
