Electoral bonds disclosure: NGO files contempt plea in SC over SBI's deadline extension

The Supreme Court on Thursday listed the contempt petition by the NGO, Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), against the State Bank of India's (SBI) non-compliance for March 11.

The plea by ADR was filed by lawyer Prashant Bhushan challenged SBI's application to extend time to disclose the details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties till June 30.

The apex court bench, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, while taking note of Bhushan's submissions, told him to send an email request with the details of the application number and assured him that the plea will be scheduled for March 11.

The move comes after SBI on Wednesday missed the top court deadline to disclose information regarding electoral bonds. 

A five-judge bench had struck down the 2018 scheme for anonymous limitless donations to political parties, calling it unconstitutional.

ADR's plea comes as it fears that SBI's application to extend deadline till June 30 would mean that information about political funds will remain secret till Lok Sabha elections conclude.