Report Raises Concern Over Corruption in India’s Climate Finance
India recorded a corruption score of 38 in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, marking a one-point decrease from the previous year. Placing India 96th among 180 countries measured, the Index suggested India “must do much more to safeguard clean energy initiatives.”
Journalist Killed in Chhattisgarh: What We Know Thus Far
A 33-year-old journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar, was killed in Chhattisgarh, prompting an investigation by the authorities. He had exposed possible corruption in a 1.2 billion rupees road project. Police have arrested three suspects, including two of his relatives and a construction supervisor.
BJP Alleges US Govt., George Soros, Rahul Gandhi Are Attempting to Destabilise India
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that the U.S. government, billionaire investor George Soros and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi are conspiring to destabilise India. The party alleged that the investigative media platform Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) plays a central role in this purported effort, while not questioning the factual basis of the investigative reports.
Court Orders FIR Against Finance Minister Sitharaman Over Electoral Bonds
A special court in Bengaluru has directed the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on allegations of extortion connected to the controversial Electoral Bonds Scheme.
Supreme Court Petition: Probe Electoral Bonds, Seize Donations
A petition filed before the Supreme Court is calling for the confiscation of all funds collected through the controversial electoral bonds scheme, initially introduced in 2018 and recently struck down. The petitioner is also urging the formation of a committee led by a former Supreme Court judge to investigate potential quid pro quo benefits granted to donors by public authorities under political influence.
What’s NEET Paper Leak and Malpractices Controversy?
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG (Undergraduate) 2024 exam, an essential pathway for students aspiring to medical careers in India, is currently embroiled in controversy due to widespread allegations of paper leaks and exam malpractices. The issue has sparked national concern, and caused considerable anxiety and stress among 2.3 million students who prepared for the exam.
Kotak-Linked Company’s Legal Settlement and Its Electoral Donations
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) settled a legal dispute in favour of Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) after a Kotak family entity, Infina Capital Private Ltd., made significant donations to the ruling party, according to an investigation by The Wire, which also points out that Infina’s electoral bond purchases exceeded the amounts reported by the State Bank of India (SBI) to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Govt Saved Telecom Company 2 Months After the Ruling Party Received Donation
The Indian government converted a substantial debt into equity for Vodafone Idea (Vi) shortly after the telecom operator’s parent company, the Aditya Birla group, donated significant funds to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to a report of a collaborative project involving three independent media outlets and journalists. The move came as Vi, India’s third-largest telecom operator, faced financial distress, with debts amounting to 2,140 billion rupees, primarily owed to the government.
23 Out of 25 Opposition Leaders Reprieved from Corruption Charges After Joining BJP: The Indian Express
Twenty-three out of 25 politicians facing corruption charges found relief after aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2014, according an investigation by The Indian Express. These politicians, previously under scrutiny by central agencies, represent a diverse political spectrum, including the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Remember 2G Spectrum Scam? Electoral Bonds Data Sparks New Controversy
The Indian government’s recent move to assign satellite spectrum through administrative order, bypassing competitive auctions, has ignited controversy, reminiscent of the 2G spectrum scam that once rocked the nation. The decision, encapsulated in a new telecom law, has raised eyebrows, especially in light of substantial electoral bond donations to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by Bharti Enterprises, the largest shareholder of Eutelsat OneWeb, the sole beneficiary of the spectrum allocation so far.
BJP Secured Lion’s Share of Bonds Before 2019 General Election As Well
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 27.19 billion rupees, or 93% of the total 29.02 billion rupees donated to 13 political parties through electoral bonds between April 12 and May 10, 2019, as per the Election Commission of India’s data released on March 21, The Wire reports.
‘High-Risk’ Companies Taken Off List After Purchase of Electoral Bonds
Companies previously marked as “high risk” for violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were subsequently removed from the list after purchasing substantial amounts of electoral bonds, according to an investigation by The Wire. The revelation adds a new dimension to the controversy surrounding the electoral bond scheme, which has been criticised for lacking transparency and favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Faced with Action, Companies Bought Electoral Bonds Worth Billions
A significant number of companies, previously raided by central agencies, have been found purchasing electoral bonds in large amounts. This information has come after the Election Commission of India (ECI) disclosed political donations revealing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the primary beneficiary, weeks before the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Largest Electoral Trust Directed 75% of Donations to the Ruling Party
A New Delhi-based electoral trust has raised $272 million through major Indian corporations over the last 10 years and directed about 75% of the amount to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to Reuters, which raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of political funding in India, especially in the context of the upcoming general election.
30 Firms Pay Billions to Ruling Party Amid CBI, IT, ED Probes
An analysis of Election Commission records, financial statements and surveys conducted by central agencies reveals a discernible pattern in political donations received by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a five-year period, according to the media outlets The News Minute and Newslaundry. The analysis raises questions about the regulatory environment and the enforcement of laws governing political donations and corporate governance, prompting opposition parties to call for an inquiry.