SC refuses to proceed hearings in demonetisation decision

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to proceed hearings in various high courts and lower courts in which demonitisation issues are taking place.

The Indian government had submitted a fresh plea at the apex court seeking a stay on the proceedings before various high courts and other courts except the SC against its 8 November decision to demonetise high denomination currency notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000.

However, the Supreme Court has asked the government to file a transfer petition if they want a stay. The next date for hearing is 25 November.

A bench comprising justices A R Dave and A M Khanwilkar had on Thursday agreed to hear the plea after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, asked for a stay on proceedings in other courts. Another bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur which is hearing a batch of PILs against the Centre’s demonetisation move heard the government’s plea today.

The apex court, on 15 November, had refused to stay the government’s demonetisation notification but asked it to spell out the steps taken to minimise public inconvenience.

There are four PILs in the apex Court on demonetisation issue, wherein two are filed by Delhi-based lawyers Vivek Narayan Sharma and Sangam Lal Pandey, while two others are filed by individuals, S Muthukumar and Adil Alvi.

The petitioners had alleged that the sudden decision has created chaos and harassment to public at large.