Supreme Court constitutes a five-judge bench to hear petitions challenging the Electoral Bonds scheme on October 31, 2023

The Constitution bench of the Supreme Court consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Manoj Misra, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice BR Gavai will start hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Electoral Bonds scheme on October 31, 2023. The matter concerned the legal validity of the electoral bonds scheme facilitating anonymous donations to political parties. Earlier on October 16, 2023, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court constituting CJI, Justice Misra, and Justice Pardiwala referred the matter to a five-judge bench stating, “In view of the importance of the issue raised, and with regard to Article 145(4) of the Constitution of India, the matter be placed before a bench of at least five judges.” Therefore, a five-judge bench will hear the petitions related to the electoral bond scheme on October 31, 2023.