Supreme court
Supreme Court Orders Probe into Alleged Misuse of PM CARES Fund
The Supreme Court of India has ordered a probe into the alleged misuse of the PM CARES Fund, a trust fund established to provide financial assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The PM CARES Fund was established in March 2020, and since then, several allegations have surfaced regarding the misuse of funds. Parties: The petitioners, a group of social activists, were represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, while the respondent, the Union of India, was represented by Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta. Legal issues: The primary issue before the court was whether the PM CARES Fund was subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. Court observations: The Supreme Court, while ordering the probe, observed that the PM CARES Fund was a public charitable trust and, as such, was subject to audit by the CAG. Significance: This judgment highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and demonstrates the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that public institutions are held accountable for their actions.
