Electoral Bonds: A Timeline Of The Case In Supreme Court

Following is the chronology of events in the case related to validity of the electoral bonds scheme, a mode of funding to political parties, in which a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a landmark verdict annulling it:

• 2017: The Electoral bond scheme was introduced in the Finance Bill.
• Sep 14, 2017: NGO 'Association for Democratic Reforms', lead petitioner, moves SC challenging the scheme.
• Oct 03, 2017: SC issues notices to Centre and EC on PIL filed by the NGO.
• Jan 2, 2018: The Central government notifies the Electoral Bond Scheme.
• Nov 7, 2022: The electoral bond scheme was amended to increase the sale days from 70 to 85 in a year where any assembly election may be scheduled.
• Oct 16, 2023: SC bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud refers pleas against the scheme to a five-judge Constitution bench.
• Oct 31, 2023: A five-judge Constitution bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud commences hearing on pleas against the scheme.
• Nov 2, 2023: SC reserves verdict.
• Feb 15, 2024: SC delivers unanimous judgement annulling the scheme, saying it violates Constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to information.