SC refuses urgent hearing to industry bodies’ plea
The Supreme Court refused to urgently hear on Monday an intervention by industry associations against a March 15 order seeking an explanation from the State Bank of India on the nondisclosure of the unique alphanumeric numbers of electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India for publication.
A fivejudge Bench headed by Chief Justice of
India D.Y. Chandrachud asked senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for ASSOCHAM, FICCI and CII, on why they have come now after the pronouncement of the judgment in the electoral bonds scheme case on February 15.
“The whole world knew the matter was being heard by us. You come after the judgment is delivered. You file an application now?” Chief Justice Chandrachud asked Mr. Rohatgi.
Justice B.R. Gavai, on the Bench, also questioned the timing of Mr. Rohatgi’s clients.
Clarification
The senior lawyer clarified that the industry associations had “no problem” with revealing the donors or the recipients under the electoral bonds scheme.
“My problem is with the March 15 order,” he submitted.
The Chief Justice said, in the hearing, that the Bench had no applications filed by the industry associations before it.
Mr. Rohatgi insisted that the application was filed in the morning.
“There is no application on board. The application may not be numbered or registered… We will deal with it in due course. There is no oral mentioning… You appear for big clients… If we allow you to mention orally, what face will I show to a junior advocate who wants to do the same… Now, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” Chief Justice Chandrachud addressed the senior advocate.
In a statement, Federation Of Indian Chambers Of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) confirmed that it had, along with ASSOCHAM and CII, filed an intervention application.“FICCI believes in fostering a conducive environment for economic development, where the private sector will contribute to the growth of India to become the third largest economy,” it read.