SC rejects PIL on tax returns by parties

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking compulsory I-T returns from political parties.

A bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam dismissed the petition saying it was filed more for publicity.

���It is a publicity interest litigation on the eve of the elections���, remarked bench. Advocate Kamini Jaiswal appearing for petitioner, Association of Democratic Reforms, said the political parties were flouting apex court order by not filling their I-T returns. She cited an order passed in 1996.

Ms Jaiswal further said that the information gathered through RTI application disclosed that major national political parties have failed to comply with the apex court direction. However, the court was not inclined to pass any direction and said it was for the income-tax department to look into the issue.

The bench also questioned the locus standi of the petitioner NGO. ���Why have you come to this court for specific direction (against the political parties)���, it asked adding, ���if any political party is not filing the returns, it will face the consequences���.

The counsel, however, said, it was mandatory for the political parties to maintain their audited accounts. Political parties get donations and any amount above Rs 20,000 has to be accounted, she said.

The NGO said this was more important when money power has been playing a dominant role in the political system.
However, the court expressed its reluctance to entertain the PIL and said ���it is difficult to give direction in such petition���. ���So many individuals are not filing returns and the law will take its own course,��� said bench dismissing the PIL.