Madras HC dismisses PIL against demonetisation

The Madras High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking to quash the Centre's order demonetising the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and welcomed the motive behind the decision including curbing black money and preventing funding of terror activities.
Rejecting the petition by Indian National League General Secretary Seeni Ahamed, who contended that the demonetisation had been announced without proper arrangements, the court in its order yesterday said there may be some temporary inconveniences and the public should have to bear with them.
The courts could not interfere in the government policies, a division bench said.
It also rejected another prayer of the petitioner the issue of Rs 2000 denomination notes was also illegal.

When the government can print Rs 5, 10, 50, 100 and 1000 rupee notes, there was nothing wrong in printing Rs 2000 notes. Besides the government had demonetised notes in 1946 and 1978, the bench said.
The judges welcomed the motive of the government in demonetising the notes which included eradicating black money, developing economy, preventing fake currency circulation, eradicating corruption and preventing terrorists from using the money for funding terror activities.

The directors on the board of RBI also recommended the demonetisation of the notes on the ground that the notes were being used for drug smuggling, terrorists activities,etc.

The government had accepted the recommendation. Hence, there was no need to quash the order, it said.
The Additional Solicitor General submitted that the demonetising notes and issuing new currencies was government's policy decision.