Constitution bench to scan note recall

TT, New Delhi, Dec. 16: The Supreme Court today declined to interfere with the Narendra Modi government's decision to stop from December 15 all transactions in demonetised notes, including at government hospitals, pharmacies and petrol pumps as well as for booking train and air tickets.

The apex court also stayed all proceedings in high courts challenging the demonetisation decision, transferred the cases to itself and referred the matter to a five-judge bench that will rule on the constitutional validity of the demonetisation drive launched on November 8. (See chart)

"In our opinion, whether the exemption period should be extended or not must be best left to the judgment of the government of the day with a hope that the government will be responsive and sensitive to the problems encountered by the common man," the bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud said.

The apex court also refused to direct the Centre to fulfil its commitment to allow customers to withdraw Rs 24,000 cash a week from their accounts. Banks have been fixing their own withdrawal limits, often far lower, citing cash shortage.

"We may commend to the authorities to fulfil their commitment made in terms of the stated notification permitting withdrawal of Rs 24,000 per account holder of the bank per week to the extent possible," it said. "No other direction can be given at this stage by way of an interim relief."