SC issues notice to Centre, EC on PIL challenging changes in law on political funding

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to Centre and Election Commission on a PIL challenging recent changes in law on political funding.

The Supreme Court sought response from both Centre and EC .

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued the notice on a plea filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, said that the amendment has removed the cap that barred corporates from donating more than 7.5 per cent of their average net profit to a political party.

He also said that the political parties can now take donations in the form of election bonds without disclosing the source.

The Lok Sabha had in March this year approved a proposal by the government, as part of amendments to the Finance Bill, 2017, relaxing conditions for corporate funding to political parties.

With PTI inputs