Two more PILs were filed in the Bombay High Court on Tuesday highlighting the common man’s problems post-demonetisation.Although neither petitions sought any writ against the government’s decision, suggestions were made by one of the petitioners Anil Chitre.Chitre, a 30-year old businessman from Mumbai, alleged that “black money hoarders, in a bid to secure their unaccounted cash which...
Two more PILs were filed in the Bombay High Court on Tuesday highlighting the common man’s problems post-demonetisation.
Although neither petitions sought any writ against the government’s decision, suggestions were made by one of the petitioners Anil Chitre.
Chitre, a 30-year old businessman from Mumbai, alleged that “black money hoarders, in a bid to secure their unaccounted cash which was presumably in high denomination notes, made desperate attempts to exchange the stashed cash for available change in the market”. As a result, there is a dearth of “change” in the market.
The other petition alleged that since no advertisements are allowed on denominations that are legal tenders, the Swachh Bharat logo on the new Rs 2,000 note was illegal, hence, the circulation of these notes should be “stayed immediately”.
Apart from these two PILs, two lawyers had already mentioned a matter before Justice MS Karnik during Diwali vacations, asking the court to take suo motu cognisance of the problems faced by public at large.
Justice Karnik had directed the lawyers to approach a regular bench once the courts reopened after Diwali vacations.
These directions came on November 9 and the petition was filed on Tuesday.
These developments in Bombay have occurred on a day when the Supreme Court heard similar challenges to the demonitisation move and refused to interfere in any way with the Centre’s decision. Litigants had challenged the decision before the Madras HC as well, however, the PIL was dismissed.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi rejected Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal’s argument that the Centre did not have power under Section 26(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act for blanket removal of currency notes of certain denominations, but only to cancel a particular series.
Read the petition here.
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