Delhi High Court: The Delhi High Court dismissed a PIL on Monday that challenged the notifications by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Bank of India (SBI) allowing the exchange of Rs 2,000 banknotes without the need for a requisition slip or identity proof. The plea argued that this decision was arbitrary, irrational, and violated Article 14 of the Constitution of India, thus rendering it inoperative.
Senior Advocate Parag Tripathi, representing the RBI, opposed the plea and clarified that the notifications in question were a statutory exercise and not related to demonetization.
The plea was filed by BJP leader and Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. Upadhyay sought directions from the RBI and SBI to ensure that Rs. 2000 banknotes are deposited exclusively into the respective bank accounts of individuals. This measure aimed to prevent the transfer of money to others’ accounts and enable the identification of individuals with black money or disproportionate assets.
“Recently, it was announced by the Centre that every family has AADHAAR Card and Bank Account. Therefore, why RBI is permitted to exchange Rs. 2000 banknotes without obtaining identity proof? It is also necessary to state that 80 Crore BPL families receive free grains. It means 80 crore Indians rarely use Rs. 2,000 banknotes. Therefore, the petitioner also seeks direction from RBI and SBI to take steps to ensure that Rs. 2000 banknotes are deposited.
