Bengaluru: A court in Bengaluru has ordered the filing of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman following a complaint that alleges extortion related to the abolished electoral bonds scheme. The complainant, Adarsh Iyer from the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane, raised the accusations. The Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru has instructed the police to file the FIR, involving Sitharaman and others in the matter.
Amidst these allegations, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned whether Nirmala Sitharaman would resign. He stated, “An FIR has been filed against her in the Special Court for People’s Representatives. She is a Union Minister, and this FIR implicates her in extortion through electoral bonds. She should resign now that the FIR has been filed. Will the BJP demand her resignation?” He pointed out that according to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, an investigation must be concluded and a report presented within three months, which is now in progress.
Siddaramaiah himself is under investigation under Section 17A concerning alleged irregularities in the MUDA case, and he also called for the resignation of JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, accusing him of corruption. “First, Kumaraswamy should resign. He should not stay in office either. They should all step down, including PM Modi due to the election bond extortion claims. Nirmala Sitharaman and Kumaraswamy, who is currently out on bail, should resign as well,” he asserted.
