A Bengaluru Special Court has ordered the filing of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman following allegations of extortion linked to the now-defunct electoral bonds scheme. The complaint, lodged by Adarsh Iyer of Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane (JSP), accuses Ms. Sitharaman and several senior BJP leaders of orchestrating an extortion racket under the guise of the electoral bonds initiative.
The complaint names BJP President JP Nadda, Karnataka BJP leaders Naleen Kumar Kateel and BY Vijayendra, in addition to Ms. Sitharaman. It alleges that corporate entities were coerced into purchasing electoral bonds worth thousands of crores, with raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) used as a pressure tactic. These bonds were reportedly encashed by BJP leaders at both national and state levels.
The electoral bonds scheme, now scrapped, was purportedly used to accumulate illicit funds for political gain, with senior BJP figures accused of facilitating the process. The BJP, however, has firmly denied the accusations, defending Ms. Sitharaman and distancing the party from the claims.
The party dismissed the charges as politically driven, emphasizing that the electoral bonds issue is a matter of policy rather than a criminal offense. BJP spokesperson Dr. Sudha Halkai also took the opportunity to attack Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, referencing ongoing legal issues tied to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case, where an FIR has been filed against him.
In response, Mr. Siddaramaiah questioned why BJP leaders, including Ms. Sitharaman and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who are also under investigation, were not being pressured to resign, suggesting that similar standards should be applied across party lines. The case has sparked intense political debate as the investigation unfolds.