Summary
The electoral-bond disclosure directions required SBI to provide all information in its custody, including alphanumeric and serial numbers linking bonds purchased and redeemed; the listed particulars were illustrative, not exhaustive. SBI’s Chairman and Managing Director were directed to confirm complete disclosure by affidavit, and the Election Commission to publish the details on receipt. A separate request to extend disclosure to dates before 12 April 2019 was dismissed as an impermissible substantive modification through a miscellaneous application.
Issues
- Whether complete electoral-bond disclosure included alphanumeric and serial numbers.
- What compliance confirmation and publication directions were necessary.
- Whether a miscellaneous application could move the disclosure starting date backwards.
Held
- Both purchaser and political-party contribution disclosures required by the 15 February 2024 judgment ran from the interim order dated 12 April 2019. A request to pre-date that starting point would substantively modify the judgment and could not be entertained by miscellaneous application; that application was dismissed as not maintainable. (¶¶ 2, 3, 4, 5)
- The word “include” in the earlier operative directions made the enumerated purchase and redemption particulars illustrative rather than exhaustive. SBI had to disclose all details in its possession, including the alphanumeric number and serial number of purchased and redeemed electoral bonds. (¶¶ 6, 7, 8, 9)
- To ensure full compliance, SBI’s Chairman and Managing Director were directed to file an affidavit by 5 p.m. on 21 March 2024 confirming disclosure of all electoral-bond details in SBI’s custody and that nothing required by the earlier judgment had been withheld. This was the historical compliance deadline fixed by this order. (¶¶ 10, 11)
- The Election Commission of India was directed to upload the details immediately upon receipt from SBI. (¶ 12)
Result
Request to extend disclosure before 12 April 2019 dismissed as not maintainable. Complete disclosure, including bond identifiers, directed; SBI affidavit due by 5 p.m. on 21 March 2024 and Election Commission publication required immediately on receipt.