Supreme Court to hear plea on monday NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea on Monday challenging the validity of a provision of the Income Tax Act that allows political parties to receive anonymous cash donations of less than Rs 2,000. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta is likely to hear the matter.The petitioner, Khem Singh Bhati, has argued that anonymous cash donations undermine transparency in elections by denying voters information about the source of political funding and the motives of donors. The plea has sought the striking down of Clause (d) of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as unconstitutional.”The petitioner is seeking direction that the political parties must disclose the name and all other particulars of the person paying any amount of money to it, and no amount can be received in cash so as to maintain transparency in the political funding,” the plea, filed said.The petitioner has referred to the Supreme Court’s 2024 verdict striking down the electoral bonds scheme, arguing that political funding must remain transparent.Plea seeks EC, CBDT scrutiny of party financesThe plea has sought directions to the Election Commission to scrutinise Form 24A contribution reports of recognised political parties and take action against parties that fail to provide complete donor details, including addresses and PAN information. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIt has also sought independent audits of political party accounts and action under the Election Symbols Order, 1968, against defaulting parties.The petitioner has further urged the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to scrutinise the income tax returns and audit reports of political parties for the past five years and initiate tax, penalty or prosecution proceedings for violations of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act read with Section 29C of the Representation of the People Act.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Do You Feel You Are A Lord?’: Bombay High Court Raps Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Over MCA Order‘If Any Hindu Thinks…’: Opposition, Muslim Boards Respond To RSS Chief Bhagwat’s New York RemarksBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | Watch123PhotostoriesFrom gajra to jadai: Traditional Indian hair adornments that deserve a fashion revival5 things in your kitchen that may be dirtier than your toiletThat oil sitting beside your stove may be going bad faster than you think: What heat and light do to cooking oilHow to clean a burnt pan without scrubbing hard and longBigg Boss Tamil 10: From Joy Crizildaa to Gayathri Sri, rumoured female contestants of Vijay Sethupathi-hosted showDoes microwaving food make it unhealthy? What the science saysStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingManjeet KaurKim KardashianMaya Higa FianceTravis KelceBrittany MahomesTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea on Monday challenging the validity of a provision of the Income Tax Act that allows political parties to receive anonymous cash donations of less than Rs 2,000. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta is likely to hear the matter.The petitioner, Khem Singh Bhati, has argued that anonymous cash donations undermine transparency in elections by denying voters information about the source of political funding and the motives of donors. The plea has sought the striking down of Clause (d) of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as unconstitutional.“The petitioner is seeking direction that the political parties must disclose the name and all other particulars of the person paying any amount of money to it, and no amount can be received in cash so as to maintain transparency in the political funding,” the plea, filed said.The petitioner has referred to the Supreme Court’s 2024 verdict striking down the electoral bonds scheme, arguing that political funding must remain transparent.Plea seeks EC, CBDT scrutiny of party financesThe plea has sought directions to the Election Commission to scrutinise Form 24A contribution reports of recognised political parties and take action against parties that fail to provide complete donor details, including addresses and PAN information.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
It has also sought independent audits of political party accounts and action under the Election Symbols Order, 1968, against defaulting parties.The petitioner has further urged the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to scrutinise the income tax returns and audit reports of political parties for the past five years and initiate tax, penalty or prosecution proceedings for violations of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act read with Section 29C of the Representation of the People Act.
