The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association, in a decisive move on Tuesday, distanced itself from a letter penned by SCBA chief Adish C Aggarwala, advocating for a presidential reference of the apex court’s judgment in the electoral bonds scheme case. The bar association not only disavowed the content of the letter but also denounced it as an audacious endeavor to surpass and undercut the authority of the Supreme Court. Adish C Aggarwala, who also holds the position of Chairperson of the All India Bar Association, addressed a missive to President Droupadi Murmu, beseeching her not to implement the verdict in the electoral bonds scheme case unless the apex court had reconsidered the matter.

Aggarwala emphasized the potential vulnerability of corporations if their identities as contributors to various political parties were disclosed. He cautioned against the possibility of them being targeted and subjected to harassment by parties that received lesser contributions from them. “Revealing such information retrospectively would violate the assurances provided to these corporations while accepting their voluntary contributions,” he asserted. Furthermore, Aggarwala underscored that divulging such sensitive data could have a chilling effect on corporate donations and their involvement in the democratic process.

Despite the letter being imprinted on the letterhead of the All India Bar Association, it prominently displayed Aggarwala’s designation as President of the SCBA beneath his signature.

In response, a resolution drafted by SCBA Secretary Rohit Pandey and endorsed by the Executive Committee unequivocally clarified the association’s stance. “The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association wishes to categorically state that its members neither authorized the President to compose such a letter nor do they endorse the views expressed therein,” the resolution asserted. Moreover, it condemned the letter and its contents as a blatant endeavor to overstep the boundaries and diminish the authority of the Honorable Supreme Court of India.

The resolution concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the Executive Committee to upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary, emphasizing the paramount importance of respecting the sanctity of judicial processes.