Allow deposit of old notes, Supreme Court tells Centre
“It is harsh if you close all options for genuine persons”
Cautioning
the government against depriving genuine persons of their hard-earned
money and property, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Centre cannot
close all options for such persons.
It should open a window for them to approach the authorities to prove that it is their money, the court said.
“It is harsh if you close all options for genuine persons who were unable to deposit their [demonetised] notes within the stipulated period,” a Bench of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and D.Y. Chandrachud told the government, represented by Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar. “If I am terminally ill and could not deposit my money, I should be given an opportunity now to approach you and establish my facts and prove that it is my money... You can’t just deprive me of my money because I am terminally ill,” Justice Khehar said, addressing Mr. Kumar.
“You are taking away my money because I am terminally ill? Citizens are facing problems and you are there to solve them. If not, serious problems will arise,” Chief Justice Khehar orally observed.
Affidavit filed
Mr. Kumar said the government had already filed an affidavit explaining why the period to deposit demonetised notes was restricted.
The Centre restricted the grace period till March 31, 2017 only to Indian citizens who were abroad during the period between November 9 and December 30, 2016.
It should open a window for them to approach the authorities to prove that it is their money, the court said.
“It is harsh if you close all options for genuine persons who were unable to deposit their [demonetised] notes within the stipulated period,” a Bench of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and D.Y. Chandrachud told the government, represented by Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar. “If I am terminally ill and could not deposit my money, I should be given an opportunity now to approach you and establish my facts and prove that it is my money... You can’t just deprive me of my money because I am terminally ill,” Justice Khehar said, addressing Mr. Kumar.
“You are taking away my money because I am terminally ill? Citizens are facing problems and you are there to solve them. If not, serious problems will arise,” Chief Justice Khehar orally observed.
Mr. Kumar said the government had already filed an affidavit explaining why the period to deposit demonetised notes was restricted.
The Centre restricted the grace period till March 31, 2017 only to Indian citizens who were abroad during the period between November 9 and December 30, 2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment