The Supreme Court on Friday refused to restrain high courts and other lower courts from hearing pleas against the central government's demonetisation notification, saying “there are difficulties which cannot be disputed.”
“People are approaching various courts because they face real problems,” a bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur and Justice Anil Dave said.
The Chief Justice asked the Centre to file a petition seeking the transfer of all the pleas against demonetisation in various courts to be transferred to the Delhi High Court.
Arguing for the government, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court the government is making efforts to resolve the problems citizens are facing, and already queues outside automated teller machines (ATMs) and bank branches are beginning to shorten. The option to get cash at select petrol pumps with State Bank of India machines by swiping debit cards, will soon be extended to more petrol pumps, Rohatgi said.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said on behalf of the petitioners that the Centre's capacity to replace all old currency notes is constrained, which has led them to reduce the exchange limit to Rs 2,000 from Rs 4,500 earlier.
The courtroom witnessed a spat between the two lawyers when AG Mukul Rohatgi accused Sibal of trying to politicise the situation
The next date of hearing has been fixed for November 25.
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