The executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) distanced itself from the letter written by SCBA chief Adish C Aggarwala, urging a presidential reference for the electoral bonds scheme case verdict. The committee condemned the letter, describing it as an “attempt to overreach and undermine the authority” of the Supreme Court.
Aggarwala, also the chairperson of the All India Bar Association, wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting a presidential reference for the electoral bonds scheme case verdict and advising not to enforce it until the top court rehears the matter.
In his letter, Aggarwala argued against revealing the names of contributing corporates, stating that it could make them vulnerable to victimization. He expressed concern about corporates being singled out and harassed by parties that received fewer contributions from them. He emphasized that disclosing such sensitive information retrospectively would have a chilling effect on corporate donations and participation in the democratic process.
While the letter bore the letterhead of the All India Bar Association, Aggarwala’s designation as President of the SCBA was noted below his signature. The SCBA’s executive committee clarified that it had not authorized the President to write such a letter, and its members did not endorse his views. The committee viewed the act and its contents as an attempt to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and unequivocally condemned it.