Electoral Bonds Case Hearing : Live Updates From Supreme Court [Day 2]

SG Mehta: More powerful the leader, more capable the party, more chances of success- I feel that I'd be more comfortable doing my business. These factors are the ones based on which donations are made.

SG Mehta: This is my reply, not the government's reply. This is my assistance. Generally, every political party has their program and policies etc. They have their working styles. All people - individuals, corporations, HUFs- they know the working styles.

SG Mehta: They know that if this party forms government it'd be more beneficial for us...what is running in the mind of the donor is not possible. But by and large they decide as per their interest. They're not doing charity. They're doing their own business. It's market driven.

SG Mehta: More contribution going to the ruling party is the norm.

CJI: Why is it the norm that ruling party is receiving the substantial part of donations?

SG Mehta: I wouldn't be able to hazard a guess but figures say that whoever was ruling party possibly received...

SG Mehta: Please see this- among all the national and regional parties considered so and so is the only party to consistently declare receiving nil donations above Rs 20,000. Everything is below 20,000.

SG Mehta: "The income of national parties from unknown sources increased by 313% from Rs 274.13 cr during FY 2004-2005 to Rs 1130 cr during FY 2014-15."

SG Mehta: So the cash I receive, I'm showing as unknown donors. No record is required under law. This is the amount which is 69%.

SG Mehta takes the bench through a report by ADR on sources of donations to political parties in 2018.

SG Mehta: Every political parties need clean money to show expenditure etc. How do they do that? I deposit 100 cr as a party saying that so many 1000 people donated 19,000 rs to me each. If it is below 20,000 I'm not supposed to reveal identity of donor.

SG Mehta: One this clear- your lordships aren't examining whether there can be political donations or not, you're examining how.

SG Mehta: One of the petitioners, ADR, has placed all its reports on record except one which is most crucial...when you're approaching in public interest, you place every report.

SG Mehta: Please see this report prepared by ADR based on public figures of Election Commission. If this scheme goes, we will go back to this regime. Please see the regime.

SG Mehta: After going through the history, I will attempt to satisfy your lords that each and every word used is very consciously. And what they called anonymity and opacity is confidentiality by design. And why, how, what is the rationale- I will explain.

SG Mehta: If the element of confidentiality goes from the scheme, the scheme goes and we are back to 2018 regime. And I'll show that regime. And your lordships may ask the petitioners what benefit they'd get if we go ten steps back?