SC to hear plea against demonetisation of currency notes

The Supreme Court is likely to hear on November 15 a plea by an Uttar Pradesh based lawyer challenging the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination currency notes by the central government saying it has caused hardship to the common man.

The bench of Justice Anil R. Dave, Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar said the plea would be listed on November 15 as lawyer Sangam Lal Pandey told the bench that lakhs of people were unable to avail treatment at private hospitals or buy medicines in the absence of exchangeable currency notes.

However, the bench made it clear that hearing of the plea on November 15 would be subject to the numbering of the petition by the court registry.

Government counsel R. Bala Subramaniam told the bench that they should be served with the copy of the petition as the Centre has filed a caveat.

Seeking the quashing of the decision, the petitioner has described demonetisation as "Tughlaki Farman" as lakhs of people are suffering because private hospitals, medical shops, public and private transport including the Delhi Metro were refusing to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.

A number of people who have withdrawn large sums for the marriage of their sons and daughters are now in a quandary as the money cannot be utilised for the intended purposes.

He said there are now problems for the thousands of marriages slated to take place in a couple of days because of the government's decision.

--IANS

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