SC to hear petitions challenging demonetisation policy

The Supreme Court will on Friday hear a batch of petitions and public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the demonetisation policy of the Central Government, which came into being in the midnight of November 8.

On Monday, the hearing of the matter was adjourned as Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur was on leave. The hearing continues to be a non-starter with three adjournments.

A bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud informed about the non-availability, saying that the hearing now would take place on for December 9.

Several petitions were filed, including one by Vivek Narayan Sharma, against the policy that has "caused massive upheavals" across the nation. The petitioners have questioned the government's rational and modus operandi behind the implementation of the policy, as it has reportedly caused inconvenience to the general public.

Meanwhile, on November 23, the Supreme Court in a separate case sought response of all the petitioners, who have challenged the demonetisation move in different high courts.

It issued notices to the petitioners on a plea by the Centre seeking transfer of all these matters to either the apex court or one of the high courts.

A three-judge bench, however, refused the Centre's request to stay the proceedings pending before various high courts, saying people may get "immediate relief" from them.

During the hearing, the bench asked the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi about the appropriate steps considered by the government after demonetisation.

Responding to it, the Attorney General said the situation is "much better".

He told the bench that government had set up a committee that would assess the ground situation in the country on demonetisation.