High Court Seeks Stand Of Centre, Delhi Govt On PIL To Restrict Cash Transactions On E-Commerce Platforms Like Amazon, Flipkart

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought stand of the Union Government and Delhi Government on a public interest litigation to restrict cash transaction of goods, products and services purchased through online shopping platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the counsel appearing for the governments to obtain instructions in the matter and listed it for hearing in August.

However, the bench has not issued formal notice in the matter yet.

ASG Chetan Sharma appeared for Union of India whereas Delhi Government was represented by advocate Santosh Kumar Tripathi.

Moved by Advocate and BJP leader Ashwani Kumar Upadhyay, the plea also seeks direction for steps to “reduce corruption.” A direction is also sought for restricting cash transaction of air ticket, rail ticket, electricity bill and other bills of Rs. 10,000 and above.

Upadhyay in the plea has submitted that the prayers in the PIL are a “practical solution” to control corruption, black money generation, money laundering, benami transactions and disproportionate assets.

“Similarly, no district is free from the clutches of mafias' viz. land mafia, drug-liquor mafia, mining mafia, transfer-posting mafia, betting mafia tender mafia· hawala mafia illegal immigration mafia conversion mafia, superstition-black magic mafia and white-collar political mafia, dividing society on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth,” the plea states.

It adds that it is the government’s duty to examine good practices of other countries who are ranked among top 20 in the Corruption Perception Index, and implement them for giving a strong message that it is determined to fight against the menace of corruption and black money.

“Moreover, India cannot move forward without dean-transparent governance for which corruption free society is a basic requirement and that is impossible without recalling currency above Rs.100,restricting cash transactions above Rs.10,000 linking assets. above Rs. 50,000, with AADHAAR and confiscating cent percent black money, disproportionate assets and benami property and giving rigorous life imprisonment to looters,” the plea adds.

Title: ASHWINI KUMAR UPADHYAY v. UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS