The Delhi High Court on Monday issued six-week notice to the Centre to look into the bank accounts of political parties. The court said the accounts of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress should be examined to trace foreign funding. The court also asked the government to submit its affidavit within six weeks.

The court had expressed its displeasure to the Centre for not taking action against Congress and the BJP for accepting foreign funding in violation of the law, despite a 2014 court direction.

The court was hearing a contempt plea filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The counsel of the organisation had said that even after the lapse of three years of the court’s order, the government had not taken any action.

The NGO, in its plea argued, “Since there has been wilful disobedience on the part of the respondent (government) in compliance with the impugned order, respondent is liable for contempt of the court and contempt proceedings should be initiated against the respondent.”

However, counsel appearing for Ministry of Home Affairs argued in the court that the records were 40 years old and it would take time to go through them. The counsel also said notice has been issued to both parties asking them to submit required  documents.

On March 28, 2014, the high court had ordered the Election Commission (EC) and the Home Ministry to look into the accounts of the Congress and BJP for traces of foreign funds and take action within six months.

The 2014 verdict had found both parties flouting the norms of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCR) by accepting donations from Indian subsidiaries of UK-based Vedanta Resources.