India Today Probe: Parties On Paper, Crores In Donations And Empty Offices Raise Questions

An India Today investigation has tracked registered unrecognised political parties, or RUPPs, whose listed offices appear difficult to locate on the ground, despite substantial donations reported in ADR’s analysis. In Delhi, the Rashtriya Vikas Party is listed at an address where reporters found a dance school, while its other listed office is reportedly the residence of its president. In Jabalpur and Delhi, addresses linked to the Bharatiya Jan Kranti Dal (Democratic) were found in residential areas where locals said they were unaware of the party. In Bihar, the Prabal Bharat Party reportedly received ₹103.84 crore in donations. Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi calls for stricter laws.