SC expedites hearing in case related to political parties' foreign funding

The Supreme Court on Tuesday expedited the hearing in the case related to foreign funding of political parties.

The apex court has fixed September 14 as the next date of hearing, saying no adjournments will be granted further.

Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for the petitioner, told the apex court that the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been stalling the Delhi High Court judgment of 2014 wherein it had found both parties of receiving foreign funds in violation of provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

He also said that no action has been taken so far as both parties have been in power at the Centre.

"There has been no implementation of the Delhi High Court's order by the Home Ministry. The government is using foreign contribution act to harass the NGOs, but no action has been taken against any of the political parties," he alleged.

In a landmark verdict, the Delhi High Court had in August 2014 indicted the BJP and Congress of receiving foreign funds in violation of provisions of the FCRA.

A division bench comprising Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Jayant Nath had asked the government and the Election Commission to act against the two political parties for accepting foreign funds from Vedanta subsidiaries.

The High Court bench also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Election Commission to "relook and reappraise the receipts of the political parties and identify foreign contributions received by foreign sources" and take action within six months.