HC asks Centre to act against BJP, Cong in funding case
Delhi High Court gave the Home Ministry six weeks to comply with the 2014 judgment, in which the court found BJP and Congress defying the norms of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The Act prohibits political parties or legislator from accepting foreign contributions. In 2014, the court had directed the ministry and Election Commission to take action within six months.
against parties New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today granted six weeks to the Centre to comply with its 2014 order directing action against political parties violating foreign funding norms. Justice A K Chawla observed that the six months granted in the March 28, 2014 order has not been extended by it and, therefore there was no reason for the government to not comply with it. The court fixed the matter for further hearing on December 5. The lawyer appearing for the Centre submitted that more time was required for compliance as the record was voluminous. The court had on March 21 this year issued notice to the Centre on a contempt plea alleging the government took no action against political parties violating foreign funding norms despite the court order. It had sought response on whether action would be taken against them under the relevant law. The high court had on March 28, 2014 held that the BJP and the Congress had prima facie violated the foreign funding law by receiving donations from UK-based Vedanta Resources subsidiaries and directed the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take appropriate action against them within six months. 