The Supreme Court in the case Dr. Jaya Thakur vs Union of India observed and has agreed to hear a petition raising additional issues, inter alia, with regards to the recent notification of the Union Government which is authorising the sale of fresh tranche of electoral bonds for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. An application would also be heard by him for additional grounds in the petition challenging the provisions of Finance Act 2017 which have paved the way for electoral bonds. The application will be heard by the Apex Court along with the main matter concerning electoral bonds.
The bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that this court will hear IA with the main matter. A writ petition was considered by the bench filed by Congress leader Dr.Jaya Thakur.
Further, few petition are pending before the Supreme Court, wherein challenging the provisions of Finance Act 2017 which paved the way for anonymous electoral bonds. The bench comprising of Justice BR Gavai and Justice BV Nagarathna on October 14 had posted those petitions to December 6.
An application has been rejected by the Supreme Court in March 2021, to stay the sale of electoral bonds ahead of the assembly polls in certain states.
The present petition and the application was listed before the bench comprising Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud for urgent listing. Therefore, it was observed that the Senior Counsel sought urgent listing stating that the sale of Electoral Bonds will be soon get over. It has been assured by the Senior Counsel that the matter would be listed by the bench.
As per the stated notification, the electoral bonds sale has been allowed from November 9 to November 15.
However, the Senior Counsel appearing for the applicant informed the bench comprising of CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice J.B. Pardiwala that in the present application, some additional grounds have been urged. It was requested by him to take the matter on 6th December, 2022 when the main matter is listed.
Accordingly, the bench listed the matter for December 6.
