Dr.Thomas (Sub-Editor)
The Thilaknagar police on Saturday registered an First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP national president JP Nadda and others for allegedly committing irregularities and misusing electoral bond scheme to extort money from the companies using enforcement agencies.
The FIR was filed based on the court directions,charging the accused under sections 384 (punishment for extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy)read with 34 (acts done with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Based on a private complaint filed by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP) alleging criminal conspiracy and extortion compelling companies and other individuals through electoral bonds in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The FIR named Sitharaman,Enforcement Directorate (ED),Nadda,BJP Karnataka president,BY Vijayendra and senior leader Naleen Kumar Kateel.
According to the complaint it was alleged that Sitharaman and ED officials committed extortion under pretext of the electoral bonds and benefitted to the tune of over Rs 8,000 crore .”
Mr.Iyer in his complaint alleged that the “extortion”was committed in connivance with Nadda,Kateel,Vijayendra and other office bearers of the party at the state and national level.
He also claimed that Sitharaman used the ED to “conduct raids,seizures and arrests of various corporates,their CEOs,MDs and on top executive of the companies to compel them to pay”.
Fearing the raids,many corporates were to buy electoral bonds worth several crores, which are encashed by Nadda,Kateel,Vijayendra and others.
The entire extortion racket under the garb of electoral bonds have been orchestrated hand in glove with officials of BJP at various levels,”Mr. Iyer alleged.
Citing many instances of companies which bought bonds for the benefits of the party .The complainant had initially approached the jurisdictional Tilaknagar police station with a complaint on 30 March this year,and then approached DCP Bengaluru South East in April 2024.
Since there was no action,he moved the court and filed a private complaint seeking necessary directions from Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to elected MPs/MLAs in the State of Karnataka.