Big relief to Sitharaman: Karnataka HC stays FIR against her in electoral bonds scheme till Oct 22

In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court stayed further investigation till October 22 in the FIR filed against former Karnataka BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel and FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Karnataka HC has granted big relief to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in electoral bonds scheme case. Earlier, one FIR filed against her in electoral bond recovery case, now the HC has stayed the case till October 22.  Former BJP Karnataka President Nalin Kumar Kateel had challenged the lower court's decision in the High Court.

No action against Sitharaman till Oct 22 

Accepting the petition for hearing, the Karnataka High Court stayed further investigation till October 22 in the FIR filed against former Karnataka state BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is a co-accused in the case, in which Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been made the main accused. He is accused of extorting money from some companies under the guise of electoral bonds

A case was registered on Saturday against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on the directions of a court, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme.

FIR registered under IPC sections 384 

According to police, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ED officials, office-bearers of the BJP at state and national level, based on the order of a special court.

BJP Karnataka chief BY Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel have also been named in the FIR.

Complaint lodged by Adarsh R Iyer

The complaint was lodged by Adarsh R Iyer, Co-President of 'Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath' (JSP) alleging that the accused "committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds and benefitted to the tune of 8,000 and more crore of rupees."

The complainant further alleged that Sitharaman through the clandestine aid and support of ED officials facilitated extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of others both at the state and national levels.

The development comes at a time when the Supreme Court in February had struck down the electoral bond scheme, saying it violates the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.