TIA NEW / NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court Friday refused to tinker with the move to do away with the use of now-defunct high-value currency notes for public utilities, such as, in government hospitals and for rail tickets. It, however, referred to a Constitution Bench the issue of validity of the government’s demonetisation decision.
The apex court, which framed nine issues for adjudication by a five-judge Constitution Bench for authoritative pronouncement on the government’s demonetisation decision, also refrained from making any amendment to the directive to limit weekly withdrawal at 24,000 rupees.
The court hoped that the government will fulfil this commitment to the extent possible keeping in mind the hardships and sufferings faced by the general public.
The three-judge bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud also accepted the assurance given by the Attorney General that 8,000 crore rupees collected by district cooperative central banks (DCCBs) across the country between November 11 and 14 will be allowed to be exchanged with new currency notes as per the rules applicable to all banks.
The government also got a relief as the bench stayed the proceedings on pleas challenging the November 8 notification pending before different High Courts, and said that only the apex court will hear them.