Legality of demonetisation upheld by the Supreme Court:




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Legality of demonetisation upheld by the Supreme Court:

 

he Supreme Court Constitution Bench has upheld by 4:1 majority, the decision taken by the Union Government, six years ago, to demonetise the currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs.1000 denominations.

Majority decision by the Hon SC:

  1. The demonetisation had a reasonable nexus with the objectives sought to be achieved. It is not relevant whether the objective was achieved or not.
  1. The prescribed period of 52 days for currency exchange cannot be said to be unreasonable.
  1. Section 26(2) RBI Act, which empowers Centre to demonetize any series of bank notes of any denomination, can be used to demonetize the whole series of currency. Restrictive meaning cannot be given to word “any” in Section 26(2) of RBI Act. The modern trend is of pragmatic interpretation. Interpretation which leads to absurdity must be avoided. The purposes of the Act must be considered while interpretation.
  1. The decision-making process cannot be faulted merely because the proposal emanated from the Central Govt. There has to be great restraint in matters of economic policy. Court cannot supplant the wisdom of executive with its wisdom.

Dissenting view of Hon SC:

  1. On looking at the records submitted by RBI, there are words “as desired by the Central Govt”…this demonstrates there was no independent application by the RBI. The entire exercise was carried out in 24 hours.
  1. Sec 26(2) of the RBI Act cannot mean “all series”. Section 26(2) can be only for a particular series of currency notes & not for the whole series of currency notes of a denomination.
  1. The proposal originated from the Central Government and the opinion of the RBI was sought. Such an opinion given by the RBI cannot be construed as a “recommendation” under Section 26(2) of the RBI Act…When the proposal for demonetisation originates from the Central Govt, it is not under Section 26(2) RBI Act. It is to be way of a legislation, and if secrecy is needed, then by way of an Ordinance.

Case details: Vivek Narayan Sharma vs Union of India (WP(C) 906 OF 2016)

Justices S. Abdul Nazeer, B R Gavai, A S Bopanna, V Ramasubramanian and Justice B V Nagarathna(dissenting)

The Court held that there was a reasonable nexus to bring such a measure, and that demonetisation was not hit by the doctrine of proportionality.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL/CRIMINAL APPELLATE/ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO.906 OF 2016

VIVEK NARAYAN SHARMA                                          …PETITIONER (S)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA                                                           …RESPONDENT (S)

WITH

T.P.(C) No. 1958-1967/2016, W.P.(C) No. 1011/2016, SLP(C) No. 36757/2016, W.P.(C) No. 40/2017, W.P.(C) No. 47/2017, W.P.(C) No. 41/2017, W.P.(C) No. 260/2017, T.P.(C) No. 607/2017, T.P.(C)   No.   588/2017,   T.P.(C)   No.   626/2017,   T.P.(C)   No.585/2017, T.P.(C) No. 582/2017, T.P.(C) No. 638/2017, W.P.(C) No. 568/2018, W.P.(C) No. 1018/2019, W.P.(C) No. 683/2020, T.C.(C) No. 9/2017, W.P.(C) No. 908/2016, W.P.(C)  No. 913/2016, W.P.(C) No. 916/2016, W.P.(C) No. 1026/2016, W.P.(C)  No.  943/2016,  W.P.(Crl.)  No.  162/2016,  W.P.(C)  No. 951/2016, W.P.(C) No. 929/2016, W.P.(C) No. 930/2016, W.P.(C) No. 944/2016, T.P.(C) No.  1982-1996/2016,  W.P.(C)  No. 952/2016, W.P.(C) No. 953/2016, W.P.(C) No. 958/2016, W.P.(C) No. 957/2016, SLP(C) No. 35356/2016, T.P.(C) No. 2030- 2038/2016, W.P.(C) No.  978/2016,  W.P.(C)  No.  1025/2016, SLP(C) No. 35805/2016, W.P.(C) No. 997/2016, W.P.(C) No. 1008/2016, W.P.(C) No. 1010/2016, W.P.(C) No. 1009/2016, W.P.(C) No. 996/2016, W.P.(C) No. 1006/2016, T.P.(C) No. 47- 67/2017, T.P.(C) No.  659/2017,  W.P.(C)  No.  223/2017,  SLP(C) No. 14272/2017, SLP(C) No.  14131/2017,  SLP(C)  No. 14216/2017, W.P.(C) No. 341/2018, W.P.(C)  No.  193/2018, W.P.(C) No. 316/2018, MA 1552/2018 in W.P.(C) No. 626/2017, W.P.(C)  No.  971/2016,  T.P.(C)  No.  2018-2022/2016,  W.P.(C)  No. 972/2016, W.P.(C) No. 389/2018.

 

INDEX

 

I. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………….. Paras 1 to 4
II. BACKGROUND………………………………………………. Paras 5 to 15
III. SUBMISSIONS  OF  PETITIONERS………………………. Paras 16 to 51
IV. SUBMISSIONS OF UNION OF INDIA…………………… Paras 52 to 78
V. SUBMISSIONS  OF  THE  RBI……………………………… Paras 79 to 86
VI. SUBMISSIONS  IN  REJOINDER…………………………. Paras 87 to 94
VII. REFRAMED QUESTIONS…………………………………. Paras 95
VIII. STATUTORY SCHEME…………………………………….. Paras 96 to 109
IX ISSUE NO. (i)………………………………………………… Paras 110-158
Precedents construing the word “any”…………………. Paras 112-127
Purposive  interpretation  …………………………………… Paras 128-143
Construction of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI

Act………………………………………………………..

 

Paras 144-157

X. ISSUE NO. (ii)……………………………………………….. Paras 159-211
Precedents considering delegated legislation ……….. Paras 162-193
Status  of  the  RBI…………………………………………….. Paras 194-202
Application of  the  aforesaid  principles  to  the  present

case…………………………………………………. ………..

 

Paras 203-211

XI. ISSUE NO. (iii)……………………………………………….. Paras 212-262
Scope of Judicial Review…………………………………… Paras 215-218
Scope of Judicial Interference in matters pertaining to

economic    policy……………………………………………….

Paras 219-225
Application  of  the  aforesaid  principles  to  the  present

case………………………………………………………………

Paras 226-237
Recommendation of the RBI ……………………………… Paras 238-245
Relevancy of attainment of objectives……………………. Paras 246-262
XII. ISSUE NO. (iv)……………………………………………….. Paras 263-281
Four-pronged test of proportionality……………………. Paras 266-280
XIII. ISSUE NO. (v)………………………………………………. Paras 282-288
XIV. ISSUE NO. (vi)………………………………………………. Paras 289-303
Contextual  and   harmonious   construction   of   the

provisions  of  the  2017  Act…………………………………

Paras 290-299
XV ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS …….…………………. Paras 304-305

 

J U D G M E N T

 

B.R. GAVAI, J.

 

 

  • I. INTRODUCTION

 

  1. This reference to  the  larger  bench  of  Five-Judges  arises out of the writ petitions filed challenging the Notification 3407(E) dated 8th November 2016  (hereinafter  referred  to  as “the impugned Notification”), issued by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by  sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (hereinafter referred to as “the RBI Act”), vide which the Central Government declared that the bank notes of denominations of the existing series of the value of five hundred rupees and one  thousand rupees shall cease to be legal tender with effect from 9th November 2016, to the extent specified in the impugned Notification. This is popularly known as an act/policy of ‘demonetization’.
  1. Immediately after the impugned Notification was issued, several writ petitions challenging the policy of demonetization came to be filed before this Court as also before various High Transfer Petitions were filed by the Union,  seeking transfer of all such matters pending before  the  High  Courts  to this Court.
  2. A bench of learned three Judges of this Court passed an order dated 16th December 2016 in Writ Petition (Civil) No.906 of 2016 and other connected petitions, observing therein that, in their opinion, following important questions fall for consideration:
  • Whether the notification dated 8th November 2016 is ultra vires Section 26(2) and Sections 7, 17,  23,  24,  29 and 42 of the Reserve Bank  of  India Act, 1934;
  • Does the notification contravene the provisions of Article 300A of the Constitution;
  • Assuming that the notification has been validly issued under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 whether it is ultra vires     Articles     14     and      19     of     the Constitution;
  • Whether the limit on withdrawal of cash from the funds deposited in bank accounts has no basis in law and violates Articles 14, 19 and 21;
  • Whether the implementation of the impugned notification(s) suffers from procedural and/or substantive unreasonableness and thereby violates Articles 14 and 19 and, if so, to what effect?
  • In the event that Section 26(2) is held to permit demonetization, does it suffer from excessive delegation of legislative power thereby rendering it ultra vires the Constitution;
  • What is the scope of judicial review in matters relating to fiscal and economic policy of the Government;
  • Whether a petition by a political party on the issues raised is maintainable under Article 32; and
  • Whether District Co-operative Banks have been discriminated against by excluding them from accepting deposits and exchanging demonetized notes.”
  1. Vide the said order dated 16th December 2016, this Court also directed that, if any other writ petitions/proceedings were pending in any High Court, further hearing of  those  matters should also remain stayed. This Court further directed that no other Court should entertain, hear or decide any writ petition/proceeding on the issue of or in relation to or  arising from the decision of the Government of India to demonetize the notes of 500/- and Rs.1,000/-, since the entire issue in relation thereto was pending consideration before this Court.
  • II. BACKGROUND

 

  1. Before we consider the matter, it will be necessary to refer to certain facts.
  2. On 8th November 2016, vide the impugned notification, the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, notified that the specified bank notes (hereinafter referred to as “SBNs”) shall cease to be legal tender with effect from 9th November 2016 The SBNs were bank notes of denominations of the existing series of the value of Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/-. Under clause 1 of the said notification, every banking company and every Government Treasury was required to complete and forward a return along with the details of SBNs held by it at the close of business as on the 8th November 2016, not later than 13:00 hours on the 10th November 2016 to the designated Regional Office of the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as “RBI”). Insofar as the individual persons  were  concerned, under clause 2 of the impugned notification, they were entitled to exchange SBNs in various banks specified therein upto 30th December 2016 subject to certain conditions. Initially it provided a limit of Rs.4,000/- for such exchange. It also provided that the limit of Rs.4,000/- for exchanging SBNs shall be reviewed after 15 days from the date of commencement of the impugned notification. It further provided that, insofar as Know Your Customer (KYC) compliant bank account maintained by a person with a bank was concerned, there was no limit on the quantity or value of the SBNs that could be credited to such an account. However, insofar as non-KYC compliant bank accounts were concerned, an outer limit was fixed at Rs.50,000/-. There were certain other provisions made under the impugned notification.
  1. Vide another notification of the even date, various other relaxations were granted whereunder SBNs could be used for making payment in Government hospitals, pharmacies, Railway booking centers, for purchases at consumer cooperative stores, milk booths, purchase of petrol, etc. The said relaxations were to be valid till 11th November Thereafter, various notifications came to be issued from time to time granting further relaxations.
  2. On 30th December 2016, the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance,  2016  (hereinafter  referred to as “the 2016 Ordinance”) was promulgated by the Hon’ble President of Subsequently, the Parliament enacted the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “the 2017 Act”), which received the assent of the then Hon’ble President of India on 27th February 2017.
  1. Section 3 of the 2017 Act provides that, on and from the appointed day, notwithstanding anything contained in the RBI Act or any other law for the time being in force, the SBNs which had ceased to be legal tender in view of the impugned Notification of the Government of India, shall cease to be liabilities of the RBI under Section 34 of the RBI Act and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  2. Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides for a grace period in case of certain classes of persons holding such SBNs on or before the 8th day of November, 2016 for tendering, with such declarations or statements, at such offices of the RBI or in such other manner as may be specified by One of the classes of persons who was provided a grace period by clause (i) of sub- section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act was a citizen of India who makes a declaration that he was outside India between 9th November 2016 and 30th December 2016. Clause (ii) of sub- section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act also provided a grace period for such class of persons and for such reasons as may be specified by Notification, by the Central Government.
  1. Sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act  provides  that the RBI may,  if  satisfied,  after  making  such  verification  as  it may consider necessary that the  reasons  for  failure  to  deposit the notes within the period specified in the notification referred to in Section 3, are genuine, credit the value  of the notes  in his ‘KYC compliant bank account’ in such manner as may be specified by Sub-section (3) of Section  4  of  the  2017  Act makes a provision for enabling any person, aggrieved by the refusal of the RBI to credit the value of the notes under  sub- section (2), to make a representation to the Central Board of the RBI (hereinafter referred to as “the Central Board”) within fourteen days of the communication of such refusal to him.
  1. On the very same day of the promulgation of the 2016 Ordinance e. 30th December 2016, the Central Government issued Notification No. 4251(E), in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 2, read with clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2016 Ordinance. It provided a grace period till 31st day of March 2017 to citizens who were residents in India. Insofar  as  the  citizens  who  were not resident in India are  concerned,  the  period  was  upto  30th day of June 2017. The proviso thereto  limited  the  amount  of SBNs tendered to not exceed the amount specified under regulation 3 or regulation 8 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015 [Notification No. FEMA 6 (R)/RB-2015, dated the 29th December, 2015] made under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and the conditions specified therein are complied with.
  1. Some of the writ petitions were listed before this Court on 21st March 2017, when this Court passed the following order:

“1.      Issue notice.

  1. On our asking, R. Balasubramanyam, learned counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the Union of India and Mr. H.S. Parihar, learned counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India.
  1. Having heard submissions, which remained inconclusive, and before proceeding further with the matter, it was felt, that this Court should ascertain from the Union of India (a) whether the Central Government intends to exercise the power conferred by clause (4)(1)(ii) of Ordinance 10 of 2016; and (b) if the answer to (a) is in the negative, the reason why the Central Government chose not to exercise its An affidavit may accordingly be filed by the Central Government, explaining its position to this Court.
  1. Needful be done within two weeks from today.
  1. Post for hearing on 11th April, 2017.”
  1. In pursuance of the directions issued by this  Court,  a short affidavit came be to be filed on behalf of the Union of India on 7th April, It was stated in the said affidavit thus:

“26. In view of the above and those to be urged at the time of hearing, it is most humbly submitted that the Central Government took a conscious decision that no necessity or any justifiable reason exists either in law or on facts to invoke its power under Section 4(1)(ii) of the Ordinance to entitle any person to tender within the grace period the specified bank notes.”

  1. The matter came up for hearing before this Bench initially on 12th October, 2022 and, thereafter, on various dates. We have heard Shri Chidambaram and Shri Shyam Divan, learned Senior Counsel, Shri Prashant Bhushan, learned counsel, Shri Viplav Sharma, petitioner-in-person in support of the petitions and Shri R. Venkataramani, learned Attorney General appearing for the Union of India and Shri  Jaideep Gupta, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the RBI. We have also heard the learned counsels appearing in the connected petitions.
  • III. SUBMISSIONS OF PETITIONERS

 

  1. Shri Chidambaram, learned Senior Counsel led the arguments on behalf of the petitioners.
  2. Shri Chidambaram submitted that, upon its correct interpretation, sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act will have to be read down in a manner that sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act does not permit the power to be exercised in respect of “all series” of notes of a specified denomination. He submits that the word “any” will denote that the power can be exercised only when a particular series of any denomination is sought to be demonetized.
  3. Shri Chidambaram submits that, on earlier occasions e. by the High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetization) Ordinance, 1946 (hereinafter referred to as “the 1946 Ordinance”) and the High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetization) Act, 1978 (hereinafter referred to as “the 1978 Act”), “all series” of high denomination bank notes were demonetized. He submits that, by the 1946 Ordinance, high denomination bank notes were meant to be “all series” of bank notes of the denominational value of Rs.500/- Rs.1,000/- and Rs.10,000/-.       Similarly, by the 1978 Act, the high denomination bank notes were meant to be “all series” of the bank notes of the denominational value of Rs.1,000/-, Rs.5,000/- and Rs,10,000/-. It is thus submitted that, whenever it was found necessary to demonetize “all series” of a particular denomination, it was considered necessary to do so by way of a separate enactment of Parliament.
  1. Shri Chidambaram submits that, since the bank notes are issued in different series, the words “any  series”  before  the words “of bank notes of any denomination” appearing in sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, will have to be construed as limiting the power of the  Government  to  declare only a specified series of notes to be no longer legal He submits that it will have to be held that the words “any series” mean “any specified series” and not “all series” of bank notes.
  1. Shri Chidambaram submits that, if it is held that the Central Government is conferred with the power under sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act to demonetize currency notes of “all series”, then a situation may arise wherein the bank notes issued on the previous day can be demonetized on the very next He submits that, as a result of the demonetization done on 8th November 2016, even the currency notes issued on the previous day of the denominational value of Rs.500/- and Rs.1,000/- had become illegal tender.
  2. Shri Chidambaram submits that if sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is not read down in the aforesaid manner, then the said Section would be vulnerable to be challenged on the ground that it confers an unguided, uncanalised and arbitrary power upon the Executive He submits that, in such a situation, the said provision is liable to be struck down on the ground that it violates Articles 14, 19, 21 and 300A of the Constitution  of India. He submits that the fact that the demonetization of “all series” of high denominational currency notes in the years 1946 and 1978 was done through separate enactments of Parliament would support the said proposition.
  3. Shri Chidambaram submits that, upon a plain reading of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, it is obvious that there is neither any policy nor any guidelines in the said What factors are required to be taken into consideration and what factors are to be eschewed from consideration, are not specified in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act. It is submitted that if a drastic power of demonetizing currency notes of “all series” in certain denominations is to be entrusted to the Executive Government, then Parliament ought to have laid down the guidelines for exercising such power. He submits that, in the absence of anything of that nature, it will have to be held that the delegation to the Executive Government is excessive, arbitrary and as such, violative of Articles 14, 19, 21 and 300A of the Constitution of India. Learned Senior Counsel relied on the Constitution Bench Judgments of this Court in the cases of Hamdard Dawakhana (Wakf) Lal Kuan, Delhi and another Union of India and others1 and Harakchand Ratanchand Banthia and others v. Union of India and others2 in support of his submissions.
  4. 23. Shri Chidambaram submits that, in any case, the decision-making process in the present case was deeply flawed and, therefore, is liable to the scrutiny of judicial review by this Court.
  5. The learned Senior  Counsel  submits  that  a  plain  reading of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act would reveal that the Central Government can exercise the power only on the recommendation of the Central It is, therefore, submitted that it is implicit in the said sub-section that the proposal for demonetization must emanate from the RBI. It is submitted that, from the scheme of the RBI Act, it is clear that the Central Board, consisting of Members specified in Section 8 of the RBI Act, would consider all relevant material, weigh the pros and cons, consider the impact of the proposed measure on the people of the country and the consequences on the economy before making a recommendation. It  is  submitted that, on a plain reading of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, it is clear that the Central Government is not bound to accept the recommendation of the Central Board. The word ‘may’ used therein, postulates exercise of discretion and, therefore, the discretion so exercised by the Central Government must be exercised after considering the matter carefully, as to whether the recommendation of the RBI is required to be accepted or not.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel, therefore, submits that it is implicit in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act that the Central Board constituted under Section 8 of the RBI Act must devote sufficient time to apply their mind while making a recommendation, particularly when a major step like demonetization is to be taken.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submits that, however, in the present case, the decision-making process is deeply flawed. He submits that, under Section 8 of the RBI Act, the only channel for non-government Directors to come on the Central Board of the RBI is through clause (c) of sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the RBI He submits that, usually, experts in trade and commerce, economists, industrialists, etc. are nominated in the said category. However, on the date on which the decision for demonetization was taken by the Central Board i.e. 8th November, 2016, there were only 3 independent Directors under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the RBI Act. He submits that, it is thus clear that, at the relevant time, the Central Board consisted of a majority of the Directors who were representatives of the Central Government inasmuch as there were 7 vacancies of Directors in category under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the RBI Act.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel further submits that, in the present case, a reverse  mechanism  was  He  submits that it was  the Central Government which initiated the proposal for demonetization and  sought  opinion  of  the  Central  Board vide its communication dated 7th November 2016. The meeting of the Central Board was held immediately on the next day i.e. 8th November 2016 at 5.00 p.m. Within hours, a recommendation of the Central Board was sent to the Central Government and, on  the  same  date  itself,  i.e.  8th November 2016, the Hon’ble Prime Minister announced the decision of the Cabinet with regard to demonetization on National Television at 8.00 p.m.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submits that, unless the following documents are produced by the respondents, it cannot be verified as to whether the Central Board while recommending demonetization or as to whether the Central Government while deciding to notify demonetization had taken  into  consideration the relevant factors or eschewed irrelevant factors:
  1. The letter of the Central Government dated 7th November 2016;
  2. The Agenda Note dated 8th November 2016, if any, placed before the Central Board of RBI and the relevant research papers, background notes, information, data, report, ;
  3. The recommendation of the Central Board dated 8th November 2016 to the Central Government;
  4. The Note for Cabinet, if any, that  was  placed  before the Cabinet on 8th November 2016;
  5. The actual decision of the Cabinet as recorded in the Minutes of the Cabinet of its meeting dated 8th November
  6. It is submitted that it is only on the perusal of the minutes of the meeting dated 8th November 2016, of the Central Board, it could be seen as to whether the requisite quorum was there or not and as to whether one director from the category under Section 8(1)(c) of the RBI Act as  required  under  the  Reserve Bank of India  (General) Regulations, 1949  (hereinafter  referred to as “the 1949 Regulations”) was present in the meeting or not.
  1. Shri Chidambaram submits that there is no record available to show that there was application of mind to the relevant factors by the Central Board, so also by the Central He submits that it is also not clear as to whether there was any Cabinet note based on the recommendation of the Central Board, which was placed before the Cabinet for consideration. He submits that the Hon’ble Prime  Minister went on National Television at 8.00 p.m. on 8th November 2016, in a slot that had already been booked by the Government since all channels telecasted the speech at 8.00 p.m., and announced the decision on demonetization. He submits that the decision- making process was pre-meditated and rushed, which depicted a non-application of mind and was deeply and fatally flawed.  It is thus submitted that the procedure adopted was in total violation of the procedure contemplated under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  1. Shri Chidambaram further submits that neither the RBI nor the Central Government took into consideration the relevant factors and eschewed irrelevant factors before making such a far-reaching recommendation and decision respectively, that would have serious consequences. He submits that, as a result of demonetization, 86.4% of the currency (by value) was declared no longer to be legal tender and was eventually He submits that, in terms of absolute value, it amounted to Rs.15,44,000 crore. It is submitted that 2,300 crore distinct notes had become illegal overnight. It is submitted that, at the relevant time, the notes in the denomination of Rs.500/- and Rs.1,000/- were commonly used and, since they were demonetized overnight, millions of people were left with no valid bank notes to buy essential goods, such as, food, milk or even medicines, etc. Thousands of families went without a meal. In fact, various voluntary organizations distributed free food to thousands of families during the relevant period.
  1. Shri Chidambaram submits that the result of demonetization  was                                                        It resulted in steep unemployment within a short period. Wages were not paid for several weeks. Millions of farmers were unable to withdraw or deposit money. They did not have money to buy seeds  or fertilizers or to hire labour. It is submitted that the price of agricultural products dropped to a huge extent,   thereby causing loss to the farmers.
  2. Shri Chidambaram submits that the Government also did not take into consideration the fact that over 2 lakh ATMs were required to be recalibrated to dispense the newly issued notes. It is submitted that the Government, as also the RBI, also did not take into consideration that, out of 1,38,626 bank branches in India, over two-thirds were located in metropolitan, urban and semi-urban areas,  while  only  one-third  were  located  in rural areas, and that 90% of all ATMs were located merely in 16 States. He  submits  that  the  seven  States  in  North-East  India had only 5199 ATMs, of which 3645 were in Assam alone. As a result thereof, the  individuals residing  in  rural areas  and  those in the Northeast region were disproportionately and adversely impacted. They  had to travel long  distances and stand in queues to exchange notes, forsaking their livelihood at considerable expense.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submits that, without taking into consideration all these factors, the Central Board made the recommendation and the Central Government took the decision of demonetization. It is submitted that the consequence thereof is that demonetization cost the economy about 1-2% of the GDP, e. about Rs.1,50,000 crore.
  2. Shri Chidambaram further submits that the objectives stated in the impugned Notification were false and illusory which could not have been achieved and  which, in fact, were not achieved. He submits that one of the objectives  was  to weed out fake currency notes that were causing adverse effect on the economy. Another objective was to stop the use of high denomination bank notes for the storage of unaccounted wealth. Learned Senior Counsel submits that, when a fake currency note is detected by a Bank Officer, he is obliged to impound it, report it and give the same to the RBI. The RBI is required to destroy the note, thus taking the fake currency note out of possible circulation. It is submitted that the Annual Report of the RBI for the year 2016-2017 reported that only fake currency of the value of Rs.43.3 crore was detected in the nearly Rs.15.31 lakh crore of currency exchanged through the banking system. It is submitted that this represented 0.0028% of the total currency notes that were returned/exchanged through the banking system/RBI.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submitted that, in fact, the Indian Express quoted a senior Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) official who said that, while fake currency seized before demonetization was of low quality and easily identifiable by the naked eye, the quality of fake notes considerably improved post-demonetization, making it harder to identify. It is submitted that, as such, it is clearly seen that the said objective was false and, in any case, demonetization hopelessly failed to achieve the said objectives.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel further submitted that the third objective was to arrest the use of fake currency for financing subversive activities such as drug trafficking and terrorism, which cause damage to the economy and the security of the In this respect, learned Senior Counsel submits that new notes of denominational value of Rs.2,000/- were found on the bodies of two terrorists killed in an encounter in Bandipora on 22nd November 2016. Learned Senior Counsel submits that nearly 99.3% of the demonetized notes were returned, whether they represented storage of accounted or unaccounted wealth. It is submitted that to facilitate the exchange of money, several brokers sprung up, who offered to exchange ‘demonetized’ notes for a price. As such, even honest people turned dishonest to make some money.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submits that, shortly after demonetization, the Income Tax Department and the DRI conducted searches and raids and seized alleged unaccounted wealth in the form of Rs.2,000 notes. It is, therefore, submitted that all the stated objectives have utterly failed.
  2. Shri Chidambaram further submitted that the impugned Notification is liable to be set aside on another ground also. He submits that the doctrine of proportionality has now been recognised in Indian jurisprudence. Applying the test of proportionality to the impugned act of demonetization, he submits that there was absolutely no justification to demonetize 86.4% of the currency in circulation representing a value of Rs.15,44,000 crore that caused enormous damage to the economy and placed an intolerable and horrendous burden upon the people of the country, especially the  poor. It  is submitted that, before resorting to such a  drastic  step,  the Central Board as well as the Central Government ought to have taken into consideration as to whether an alternative  method could have been resorted to achieve the purpose for which the exercise of demonetization was done. In this respect, learned Senior Counsel relied on the judgment of this Court in the case of K.S. Puttaswamy (Retired) and another (Aadhaar) v. Union of India and another3 and Internet and Mobile Association of India v. Reserve Bank of India4.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submitted that though, while exercising the power of judicial review, it may not be permissible for this Court to examine the correctness of the decision, however, this Court can very well exercise its powers to examine the correctness of the decision-making process. He submits that the decision-making process in the present case is totally He submits that neither the Central Board while making the recommendation nor the Central Government while taking the decision have followed the procedure as prescribed in sub-section (2) of Section 26  of the RBI  Act. He  submits that, in any case, they have failed to take into consideration the relevant factors which were required to be taken into consideration and have taken into consideration those factors which were false from the very inception and have subsequently been proved to be so. He, therefore, submits that this Court is entitled to exercise its powers of judicial review and hold that the decision-making process was not  sustainable  in  law. In this respect, learned Senior Counsel relied on the judgments of this Court in the cases of Tata Cellular v. Union of India5, Uttamrao Shivdas Jankar v. Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite Patil6, Centre for Public Interest litigation and others  v. Union of India and others7, Lt. General Manomoy Ganguly Vsm v. Union of India and others8 and K.S. Puttaswamy (Retired) and another (Aadhaar) (supra).
  1. Learned Senior Counsel further submitted that, despite the passage of time, this Court has the power to grant declaratory relief including the relief of declaring as to what is the true meaning and interpretation of various provisions of the RBI Act  and  also  to  mould  the  relief  Learned Senior Counsel relied on the judgment of this Court in the case of Somaiya Organics (India) Ltd. and another v. State of U.P. and another9, Orissa Cement Ltd.  v. State of Orissa and others10, and I.C. Golak Nath & Others v. State of Punjab & Another11 in support of the said submissions.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel further submitted that the impugned Notification is also violative of Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India. He submits that, if it is the contention of the State that the restriction imposed is reasonable and in the interest of the general public, then the burden is on the respondents to establish  the  same. However,  in  the  present case, the respondents have failed to do so. He further submits that this Court in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah v. Reserve Bank of  India  and  others12 has  held  the  currency notes to be property. He, therefore, submits that depriving a person of his property by demonetization would be violative of Article 300A of the Constitution of India.
  1. Shri Shyam Divan, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant-Malvinder Singh, submitted that, apart from the guarantee given by the Central Government with regard to exchange of every bank note as legal tender at any place in India, they are also the liabilities of the Issue Department under Section 34 of the RBI Act to an amount equal to the total of the amount of the currency notes of the Government of India and bank notes for the time being in circulation.

 

  1. Learned Senior Counsel submitted that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, in his speech on 8th November 2016, gave a categorical assurance that the rights and interests of honest, hard-working people would be fully A specific assurance was also given that if there may be some who, for some reason, are not able to deposit their old five hundred or one thousand rupee notes by 30th December 2016, they could go to specified offices of the RBI upto 31st March 2017 and deposit the notes after submitting a declaration form. He submits that a person of a stature no less than the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has given an assurance that such persons would be able to go to specified offices of the RBI upto 31st March 2017 and deposit the notes after submitting a declaration form. It is further submitted that in the Press Note published on the same day, i.e. 8th November 2016, an assurance was given to the following effect:
  • “(x) For those who are unable to exchange their Old High Denomination Bank Notes or deposit the same in their bank accounts on or before  December 30, 2016, an opportunity will be given to them to do so at specified offices of the RBI on later dates along with necessary documentation as may be specified by the Reserve Bank of India.”
  1. Learned Senior Counsel submits that the said assurance was also reiterated in the RBI Notice dated 8th November 2016. Learned Senior Counsel, therefore, submits that applicant’s/petitioner’s case (petitioner in Writ Petition (Civil) 149 of 2017) stands on peculiar facts. Shri Divan submits that the applicant/petitioner withdrew an amount of Rs.1,20,000/- from his bank account operating in Central Cooperative Bank, Sangrur, Punjab (Branch-Ghelan) on 3rd December 2015 and kept the same with his previous savings of Rs.42,000/- in cash, which totals to  Rs.1,62,000/-  (i.e.  60 notes of Rs. 500 denomination and 132 notes of Rs.1000/- denomination). On 11th April, 2016, he went to visit his son residing in the USA, leaving his above mentioned saving of Rs.1,62,000/- at home in India for his future knee operation. The applicant  travelled  with  his  wife. During  their  absence, their home was locked and the money could not have been deposited. Learned Senior Counsel submits  that,  after returning to India on 3rd February, 2017, and relying on the assurance given by  the  Hon’ble  Prime  Minister  of  India,  he made a representation to the RBI for exchange of the currency notes in his possession. However, the same was not considered, thus constraining him to file a writ petition (i.e. Writ  Petition (Civil) No.149 of 2017). This Court, vide order dated 3rd November 2017 disposed of the said writ petition giving him the liberty to file an application  for  intervention/impleadment  in Writ Petition (Civil) No.906 of 2016 (Vivek Narayan Sharma vs. Union of India), which was accordingly filed him vide I.A. No.26757 of 2018 in Writ Petition (Civil) No.906 of 2016.
  1. Shri Divan submits that the proviso to the Notification dated 30th December 2016 issued by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, totally excludes persons like the He submits that, only on account of the number of days residing abroad, the applicant was categorized as non-resident Indian and as such, he  was only entitled to exchange currency notes to the extent as provided in the proviso to the Notification dated 30th December 2016. Learned Senior Counsel submits that, however, the applicant had not carried the cash while travelling abroad and as such, there was no question of making a declaration under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2016 Notification.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel further submitted that, in view of clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act, the Central Government is empowered to provide a grace period to such class of persons and for such reasons as may be specified, by notification. He submits that the said power is coupled with a duty. It is, therefore, submitted that when there are genuine cases, the Central Government is bound to exercise the power under clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act and provide grace period to the applicant and persons like him
  1. Shri Divan further submits that the Circular of the RBI dated 31st December 2016 is also discriminatory, inasmuch as in the case of Resident Indians, there is no monetary limit for tender of SBNs. However, insofar as the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are concerned, the tender is restricted to a maximum of 25,000/- per individual depending on when the notes were taken out of India as per relevant FEMA  Rules. Learned counsel submits that an additional liability is imposed upon the NRIs to produce a certificate issued by the Indian Customs on arrival through Red Channel after 30th December 2016, indicating the import of SBNs, with details and value thereof.
  2. Shri Divan relied on the article titled “Using Fast Frequency Household Survey Data to Estimate the Impact of Demonetization on Employment” by Mr. Mahesh Vyas, Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (2018) in support of his submission that on account of demonetization, there was substantial reduction in employment, which was about 12 million lower than it was during the 2 months preceding demonetization. And, over a 4-month period when the entire sample was surveyed, the impact of demonetization reduced to a loss of about 3 million jobs. He submits that an article in the Indian Express dated 17th January 2017 based on a study conducted by the All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (AIMO), indicated that the manufacturing sector suffered from considerable job loss post-demonetization.
  1. Learned Senior Counsel  also  submits  that  in  the  absence of a specific study with regard to the effect of demonetization on the Indian economy, the decision of the Central Government for demonetizing about 4% of the  total  currency  in  circulation will have to be held to be vitiated on account of manifest arbitrariness. It is submitted that the  impugned  notification  is also liable to be set aside applying the test of proportionality. Applying the classical equality test, he submits that it will have to be held that the decision  of demonetization  had no  nexus  to the objectives to be achieved. Learned  Senior Counsel  relies on the judgment of the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of  K.S. Puttaswamy  (Retired)  and  another  (Aadhaar) (supra) in this regard.
  1. Shri Divan lastly submits that the right to life also includes the right to live with Relying on the Constitution Bench judgment of this Court in the case of Maneka Gandhi v. Union of  India13, he submits that the right to live with dignity also includes the right to travel abroad, especially to visit the son of the petitioner/applicant  in  the USA. He, therefore, submits that when the applicant/petitioner had gone to the USA to visit his son during the period wherein the currency notes could have been exchanged, he will be deprived of his right under Article 21 of the Constitution  of India if he is not granted an opportunity now to exchange the demonetized notes with the new notes.
  • IV. SUBMISSIONS OF UNION OF INDIA

 

  1. Shri Venkataramani, learned Attorney General (“A.G.” for short), at the outset, submits that the action taken vide the impugned notification stands ratified by the 2017 Act. It is, therefore, submitted that with the executive action being validated by the will of Parliament, the challenge to the same would not survive.
  1. The learned A.G. submits that the word “any” appearing before the words “series of bank notes” in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act should be construed as “all”. Learned

A.G. relies on the following judgments of this Court in support of his submission that the word “any” will have to be construed to be “all”.

(i)  The  Chief  Inspector  of  Mines   and another v. Lala Karam Chand Thapar etc.14

(i)  Banwarilal Agarawalla     The  State  of  Bihar    and others15

(iii)  Tej Kiran Jain and others v. N. Sanjiva Reddy and others16

(iv)  Lucknow Development Authority v. M.K. Gupta17

(iv)  K.P. Mohammed  Salim    v.    Commissioner   of    Income Tax, Cochin18

(vi)  Raj Kumar Shivhare v. Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement and another19

  1. The learned G. submits that the action under sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act cannot be construed in a narrow compass. It is submitted that various factors, aspects and challenging confrontations affecting the economic system of the country and its stability will have to be given due weightage while considering the validity of the action taken under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  2. The learned G. submits that the comparison of  the action taken under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act with the 1946 and the 1978 legislations is totally misconceived. It  is  submitted  that,  in  any  case,  the  2017  Act  not  only addresses the issues relating to cessation of legal tender under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, but also provides for exchange of bank notes in order that Article 300A of the Constitution of India is complied with, and also extinguishes the liabilities of the Issue Department of the RBI under Section 34 of the RBI Act.
  1. The learned G. submits that if the construction as advanced by the petitioners is accepted, then the very purpose for which the provision is made shall stand frustrated. The learned A.G., relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of C.I.T. v. S. Teja Singh20, submits that it is a settled principle of law that the Courts will strongly lean against a construction of a provision which will render it futile. It is submitted that the bolder construction, based on the view that Parliament would legislate only for the purpose of bringing about an effective result, is required to be accepted.

 

  1. The learned A.G. submits that the argument that the word “any” would not mean “all” is fallacious in If the same is accepted, the Government would technically be permitted to issue separate notifications for each series but would be prohibited from issuing a common notification for all series. It is submitted that if such process is held to be permitted, it would lead to chaos and uncertainty.
  2. The learned G. further submits that the word “any” has been used at two places in sub-section (2)  of  Section 26  of the RBI Act. It is  submitted  that  the  word  “any”  preceding  the words “series of bank notes” has to be construed to mean “all”, whereas the word “any”  preceding  the  word  “denomination” may be construed to be singular or otherwise.    He submits that the same word used in the same provision twice could be permitted to have a different meaning. He relies on the judgment of this Court in the case of Maharaj Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh and others21 in support of his submission.
  1. The learned A.G. submits that the alternative submission that if the word “any” is not given any restricted meaning then sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act will have to be held to be invalid on the ground of vesting of excessive delegation, is also without substance. The learned A.G. submits that the RBI is not just like any other statutory body created by an Act of It is submitted that it is a creature created with a mandate to get liberated even from its creator. It is submitted that the guiding factors for exercise of power under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act have to be found from Section 3 of the RBI Act as well as from its preamble. It is submitted that the RBI Act was enacted for the purposes of taking over the management and regulation of the currency from the Central Government as per Section 3 of the RBI Act.  The preamble of the RBI Act also states that the RBI has been constituted to “regulate the issue of bank notes”. It is submitted that  the words “taking over the management of the currency” in Section 3 of the RBI Act and “regulate” in the Preamble have to be given the widest possible import. It is submitted that a narrower construction would defeat the very purpose of the RBI Act. It is submitted that the word “regulate” would also include “prohibit”.
  1. The learned G., relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Birla Cotton, Spinning and Weaving Mills, Delhi and another22 submits that, in order to find out as to whether the legislature has given guidance for exercise of delegated powers, the Court will have to consider the provisions of the particular Act with which the Court has to deal with, including its preamble. It is submitted that the preamble of the RBI Act read with Section 3 thereof provides sufficient guidance to the delegatee Central Government for exercising its powers. It is further submitted that, while considering the question as to whether the delegation is excessive or not, the nature of the body to which delegation is made is also a factor to be taken into consideration. It is submitted that in the present case, the delegation is to the Central Government and not to any subordinate office or department.
  1. The learned G. submitted that the judgment of  this Court in the case of Harakchand Ratanchand Banthia and others (supra) would not be applicable to the facts of the present case inasmuch as in the said case, the delegation was to an Administrator and this Court found that the delegation to the Administrator was too wide and, thus, suffered from  the vice of excessive delegation. It is submitted that, similarly, the judgment of this Court in the case of Hamdard Dawakhana (Wakf) Lal Kuan, Delhi and another  (supra)  also would not be applicable to the facts of the present case.
  1. The learned G., in addition to the reliance placed on the judgment of this Court in the case of Birla Cotton, Spinning and Weaving Mills Delhi (supra) also relies on the judgments of this Court in the following cases:

(i) Delhi Laws Act, In Re23

(i)  M.P. High Court Bar Association v. Union of India and others24

(iii) Kerala State Electricity Board  v. The Indian Aluminium Co. Ltd.25

(iV)  Ajoy Kumar Banerjee and others Union of India and others26

(v) Gwalior Rayon  Silk  Mfg.  (Wvg.)  Co.  Ltd.  v.  The  Asstt. Commissioner of Sales Tax and others27

(vi)  Ramesh   Birch    and    others    v.    Union    of    India    and others28

(vii)  M/s Gammon India Limited Etc. v. Union of India & Others29

(viii)  Prabhudas Swami and Another State of Rajasthan and Others30

(ix)  Rojer Mathew v. South Indian  Bank  Ltd.  represented by its Chief Manager and Ors.31

(ix) The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Trivandrum and another K. Kunjabmu and others32

(xi)  Darshan Lal Mehra and others v. Union of India and others33

  1. The learned A.G. also relies on the judgments of the U.S. Supreme Court in the cases of Yakus v. U.S.34 and Federal Energy Administration v. Algonquin SNG. Inc.35 in support of his submission.
  1. Insofar as the contention of the petitioners with regard  to the impugned action being susceptible to challenge on the ground of proportionality is concerned, the learned G. submits  that  the reliance placed  on  the  judgment of  this  Court in the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra) is wholly misconceived. Relying on various paragraphs from the said judgment, the learned A.G. submits that the observations made in paragraph  224  of the  said  judgment have to be read in context with the issue that fell for consideration before this Court in the  said  case. It  is  submitted  that  in  the said case, this Court was considering the action of the RBI in restricting the banks and financial institutions regulated  by  it from providing access to banking services to those engaged in transactions in crypto assets. It is submitted that, though  this Court held that, in view of the provisions contained in the RBI Act, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, and also in view  of  the  special place and role that the RBI has in the economy of the country,the RBI had very wide and ample powers to take preventive and curable measures. However, this Court found that applying the test of proportionality, in the absence of the RBI pointing out some semblance of any damage suffered by its regulatory entities, the action was not sustainable. The learned A.G. submitted that the action in the present case was taken after considering the relevant factors and to address serious concerns such as terror financing, black money and fake currency. It is, therefore, submitted that the judgment of this Court in the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra) would not be applicable to the facts of the present case.
  2. The learned A.G., relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of State of Tamil Nadu and another National South  Indian  River   Interlinking   Agriculturist Association36, submitted that in a case of non-classificatory arbitrariness, the test of proportionality would be applicable. However, in a case of classificatory arbitrariness, the only test that will have to be satisfied is the  rational  nexus  test,  i.e. whether the action taken has a reasonable nexus with the object to be achieved. In such a case, the proportionality  test would not be applicable. It is submitted that the present case would fall in the latter category and not in the former category.
  1. Countering the argument made on behalf of the petitioners that the power exercised under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act has not been exercised in the manner as provided therein and further that the decision-making process is flawed on account of patent arbitrariness, the learned A.G. submitted that in view of the settled legal position, the said contention is also not It is submitted that what is postulated under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is that the Central Government may take a decision on the recommendation of the Central Board.  It is submitted that in the present case, there was, in fact, a recommendation by the Central Board recommending demonetization. The decision by the Central Government has been taken after considering the said recommendation. It is, therefore, submitted that the procedure as provided in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act stands duly complied with.  The learned A.G. submitted that the RBI is not only an expert body but a very special institution charged with a duty of conceiving and implementing various facets of economic and monetary policy. It is submitted that there cannot be  a  straitjacket formula  in the discharge of its duty. Learned A.G.  submits  that  in  any case, it is a settled law that this Court should not interfere with the opinion of experts and leave it to experts who are more familiar with the problems they face. Reliance in this respect is placed on the judgment of this Court in the case  of  Rajbir Singh Dalal (Dr.) v. Chaudhari  Devi  Lal  University,  Sirsa and another37 and Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall v. Howrah Ganatantrik Nagrik Samity and others38.
  1. Relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of Bajaj Hindustan Limited   Sir  Shadi  Lal  Enterprises  Limited and another39, the learned A.G. submits that economic and fiscal regulatory measures are a field where Judges should encroach upon very warily as Judges are not experts in these matters.
  2. The learned G. submitted  that  the  recommendation  of the RBI and the decision of the Central Government was  taken after taking into consideration that fake currency notes of  the SBNs have largely been in circulation and it was difficult  to identify genuine bank notes from the fake ones and  to  also address three serious problems viz., fake currency notes, storage of unaccounted wealth and terror financing. It is submitted that the material with regard to such factors cannot be considered overnight. It is submitted that the  2012  White Paper on Black Money throws light on the complexity of the problem. The information and data gathered from various agencies of the Government of India are required to be taken into consideration. It is submitted that both the RBI and the Central Government act in coordination with each other. The learned A.G. submits that the discussions over the issue have taken place over a long period of time and, after considering all the aspects, the RBI recommended demonetization and the Central Government took the decision to demonetize.
  1. The learned G. further submitted that the  contention  of the petitioners that demonetization has utterly failed to achieve its objectives as stated in the impugned Notification  is  also without substance. The learned A.G. submits that the repercussion of an action  like  the one  under  consideration  can be best understood by considering the legal tender cessation measure not in isolation but by looking at the overall benefits flowing  from  such  a  measure. The  learned  A.G.  submits  that the benefits and advantages  of such an  action are  direct as  well as indirect. The learned A.G. submits that, as a result of the impugned action, there are direct benefits, like:
  • significant reduction in fake currency;
  • significant increase in the number of tax payers;
  • 25% growth in filing income-tax returns;
  • significant increase    in    returns    filed    by    corporate   tax payers;
  • substantial growth in new PAN numbers.
  1. The learned G. submits that, whereas self-assessment tax in the year 2015-16 was Rs.55,000 crore and Rs.68,000 crore in the year 2016-2017, it has jumped  to  Rs.1,00,000 crore in the year 2017-18. The learned A.G. further submitted that, as a direct benefit of demonetization, the volume  of Unified  Payments  Interface  (UPI)  transactions  shot  up  from 1.06 crore in 2016-2017 to 90.5 crore in 2017-18 and further to about 5000 crore in 2021-22. The value of the UPI transactions also grew 1210 times in 2021-22 as compared to 2016-17.   It is submitted that the real GDP growth in the year 2017-18 was higher than the average annual growth of 6.6%  in the decade (2010-11 to 2019-20).
  1. The learned G. further submitted that there  have  also been various indirect benefits. Action against domestic black money resulted in undisclosed income of Rs.82,168 crores. Surveys  conducted  in  63,691  cases  led  to  undisclosed  income of Rs.84,396 crores getting deducted. The employees provident fund organization (EPFO) enrolment data saw an increase of 1.1 crore new enrolments. It also saw 55% increase in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) registrations. It is, therefore, submitted that if the effect of impugned action is considered in a larger perspective, it will clearly show that there have been several direct as well as indirect benefits on account of the demonetization.
  1. The learned  G.  further  submitted  that,  merely  because in 1946 and 1978 the demonetization was effected by enactments of Parliament, cannot be a ground to hold that the Central Government does not have a power under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act. It is submitted that, in any case, the said argument does not hold water inasmuch as what has been provided under the impugned notification is wholly ratified by the 2017 Act. It is submitted that once the executive action is ratified by Parliament by way of legislation, the argument that since Parliament had chosen to do so  in 1946 and 1978, the Central Government could not have  done  it under the impugned notification itself is contradictory.
  1. The learned G. submits that the perusal of the Parliamentary debates while enacting the 1978 Act would clearly show that, though by the said Act only high denomination bank notes of the denominational value of Rs.1,000/-, Rs.5,000/- and Rs.10,000/- were demonetized, the Members of Parliament advocated for demonetization of even the bank notes of the denominational value of Rs.100.
  2. The learned A.G. submits that the provisions of the 1978 Act have been found to be constitutional by the Constitution Bench Judgment of this Court in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah (supra). It is submitted that, for the reasoning adopted by the Constitution Bench in the said case, the impugned notification, which now stands ratified by the 2017 Act, also deserves to be upheld.
  1. In respect of the submission made on behalf of the petitioners, that in order to address concern of the genuine difficulties of various persons who could not deposit the demonetized bank notes within the limited period, a window should be opened for a limited period; the learned G. submitted that if such is permitted, it would amount to devising a norm which will alter the essential character of the enactment. It is submitted that, firstly, it  is  difficult  to ascertain genuineness of the money.   Such a request will have to be based on certain declarations being made by the party whose veracity cannot be verified. It is submitted that this would also provide a loophole for non-genuine bank note holders to channelize their unaccounted money through the window. It is submitted that, incidentally, the law enforcing agencies are still recovering significant amount of SBNs from the individuals.
  1. The learned G. further submitted that, as of now, Rs.10,719 crore of  SBNs are still in circulation.   It is submitted that in any case, in view of the provisions of clause (i) of sub- section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act, 77,748 applications involving an amount of Rs.284.25 crore were received from resident and non-resident Indians by the five designated Regional Offices of the RBI during the grace period.  Out of this, a total of 57,405 cases (74% of the total applications received) amounting to Rs.221.95 crore (78% of the total amount under these applications) have been accepted and the amounts  have been credited to their KYC compliant bank accounts. It  is submitted that out of the total cases, 20,343 cases were rejected  due  to  various  reasons.     The  learned  A.G.  submits that it will not be permissible for the Court to devise  a  norm which would result in altering the essential character of the enactment. In support of this submission, he relies on the judgment of United States Supreme Court in the case of Metropolis Theater Company et al v. City of Chicago and Ernest J. Magerstadt40.
  1. The learned A.G. lastly submits that the Court must not proceed for a formal judgment when it cannot grant any effectual relief. In this respect, he relies on the judgments of United States Supreme Court in the cases of North Carolina v. Wayne Claude RICE41  and Mills  Green42  and the judgment of the Court of Appeal of New York in the case of People ex rel. Kingsland v. Clark43.
  2. Taking the line further, the learned A.G. submits that it is also a settled proposition of law that the Court should not decide academic In this respect, he relies on the judgment of this Court in the cases of Shrimanth Balasaheb Patil v. Speaker, Karnataka Legislative Assembly and others44, Central Areca Nut & Cocoa Marketing & Processing Cooperative Ltd. v. State of Karnataka and others45 and R.S. Nayak v. A.R. Antulay46.
  • V.   SUBMISSIONS OF THE RBI

 

  1. Shri Jaideep Gupta, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the RBI, would submit that the contention of the petitioners that the power under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is uncanalised, unguided  and  arbitrary  is  without any He submits that sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act itself provides that the power by the Central Government has to be exercised on the recommendation of the Central  Board. It  is,  therefore,  submitted  that  there  is  an inbuilt safeguard in the provision itself.
  2. Relying on the  judgment  of  this  Court  in  the  case  of Peerless General Finance and  Investment  Co.  Limited and another v. Reserve Bank of  India47, it is submitted that the RBI, which is a bankers’ bank, has a large contingent of experts to render advice relating to matters affecting the economy of the entire country. It is submitted that the RBI plays an important role in the economy and financial affairs of India and one of its important functions is to regulate the banking system in the country. It is submitted that the recommendation of the Central Board is based upon the advice of the experts that the RBI has in its contingent. Shri Gupta also relies on the judgment of the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Joseph Kuruvilla Velukunnel v. Reserve Bank of India and others48 in support of this submission.
  1. Shri Gupta further submitted that the contention that the decision-making process is faulty on account of not following the procedure under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is also without The learned Senior Counsel submits that the procedure under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act contemplates two things i.e. recommendation of the Central Board and the decision by the Central Government. It is submitted that both these requirements stand fully satisfied in the present case. He submits that though it is the contention of the petitioners that the procedure is flawed, however, the petition itself is bereft of  such  averments. Shri Gupta submits that the Constitution Bench  of this  Court in the case of Ram Kishore Sen and others v. Union of India and others49 has held that the burden of proof primarily lies on a person who complains that the procedure prescribed  has  not been followed. In any case, he submits that in both the affidavits filed on behalf of the  RBI  i.e.  the  counter  affidavit dated 19th December 2018 filed by Haokholal,   Assistant General Manager and the additional affidavit dated 15th November  2022  of  Shri  Kuntal  Kaim, Deputy General  Manager, it has been specifically averred that the procedure as prescribed under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act read with Regulation 8 of the 1949 Regulations was duly followed. He submits that the quorum as prescribed under the 1949 Regulations was very much available when the meeting of the Central Board was held on 8th November 2016. In any case, it is submitted that in view of sub-section (5) of Section 8 of the RBI Act, a decision of the Board cannot be questioned merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or any defect in the constitution of the Board. The learned Senior Counsel has placed on record an additional affidavit dated 6th December, 2022 reiterating the statements made in the aforesaid two affidavits dated 19th December 2018 and 15th November 2022.
  1. Relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra), Shri Gupta submits that to consider the question of proportionality, a four- pronged test, as set out in the judgment of this Court in the case of Modern Dental College and Research Centre and Others v. State of Madhya Pradesh and Others50 is required to be applied. It is submitted that since the measure is designated for the purpose of dealing with fake currency, black money and terror funding, the first test stands satisfied. The measure, i.e. demonetization, has a reasonable nexus for the fulfillment of the purpose of aforesaid three objectives and, as such, the second test is  also  fulfilled. Insofar  as  the third test is concerned, it is submitted that it is a matter of economic policy as to what measure is found to be appropriate for achieving the objective of dealing with the menace of aforesaid three evils. It is submitted that it is for the experts in the economic and monetary fields to take a decision in that regard and, as such, the third test, as to whether there was no alternative less invasive measure, would not be applicable to a decision pertaining to economic policy. Insofar as the fourth test is concerned, it is submitted that, as a matter of fact, there has been no infringement of the rights of the citizens. As a matter of fact, no  currency  is  being  taken  away. Full  value  of the legitimate  currency  has  been  exchanged.  It  is  submitted that non-cash transactions such as credit  card,  debit  card,  on- line transaction, etc. were permitted even during the period between 8th November 2016 and 31st December  2016. In  any case, it is submitted that immediately after the  demonetization was notified, in spite of enormity of operations, immediate steps were taken for the betterment of the public and to  ensure adequate cash supply. It is  submitted  that  various  measures were taken in order to alleviate the genuine grievances of the citizens, which have  been  enumerated  in  paragraphs  11  to  17 of the affidavit dated 19th  December 2018 filed on behalf of the RBI. It is, therefore, submitted  that  the  proportionality  test would not be applicable in the present case.
  1. Shri Gupta relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of Small Scale Industrial Manufactures Association (Registered) v. Union of India and others51 submits that normally, it is not within the domain of any court to weigh the pros and cons of the policy or to scrutinize it except only when it is found to be arbitrary and violative of any constitutional or any statutory provisions of law.
  1. Shri Gupta further submits that a similar provision providing for a specified time for exchange of notes has already been found to be valid by the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah (supra). He submits that the time provided in the present case is almost similar to the time provided under the 1978 The  said period has been found to be reasonable having regard to the purpose sought to be achieved by the said Act. It is, therefore, submitted that the challenge that the period provided was not sufficient is without any substance. It is submitted that everybody had sufficient opportunity either to deposit the notes in their banks or to exchange the same. He further submits that it was not  necessary  even  for  the  individuals  to  go  to Banks to exchange notes and on the prescribed procedure being followed, an authorized representative could also exchange the notes on their behalf.
  1. Shri Gupta further submitted that the provisions of sub- section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act cannot be  read  in He submits that if it is read in isolation, it will lead to an anomalous situation where the RBI has an independent power to act in violation of the provisions of Section 3 and sub- section (1) of Section  4  of  the  2017  Act. He  submits  that Section 3 and sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 4  of  the  2017 Act will have to be read together to hold that the power available to the RBI under sub-section (2) of  Section  4  of  the 2017 Act is with regard to the grace period as provided under sub-section (1) of  Section  4  of  the  2017  Act. It  is  submitted that the power vested in the Central Government under clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act is to provide grace  period  to  such  class  of  persons  and  for  such  reasons as may be specified by notification. However, such power has not been exercised by the Central Government and, therefore, it cannot be construed that the RBI will have an independent power in this regard.
  1. Shri Gupta reiterated the submission made by the learned A.G. that since the relief sought in the petitions cannot be granted, no declaration as sought should be granted by this Court. In this respect, he relies on the judgment of this Court in the case of Bholanath Mukherjee and others v. Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College and others52.
  • VI.  SUBMISSIONS IN REJOINDER

 

  1. Shri Chidambaram, learned Senior Counsel, in rejoinder, almost reiterated his earlier submissions. He submitted that there are two methods of demonetization of currency, one is by legislative method and the other under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.   He reiterated that the word “any” will always have to be read in the context of the provisions and if read in that manner, the  only meaning that can be given to the word “any” in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI is “some”.   In this respect, he relies on the judgment of this Court in the case of Union of India v. A.B. Shah and others53.
  1. Shri Chidambaram further submitted that from the perusal of the affidavit filed on behalf of the Central Government as well as the RBI, it is clear that the procedure emanated from  the  Central  Government,  which  was  through the advice given by the Government to the RBI in its communication dated 7th November The affidavit would clearly show that the RBI acted on the advice of the Central Government and gave its recommendation in a mechanical manner. He reiterated that, as per sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, the  proposal  has to  emanate  from the  RBI  and not from the Central Government. It is reiterated that the procedure is in total breach of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  1. Shri Chidambaram submits that unless the documents, to which he had already referred in his arguments while opening the case, are placed for perusal of this Court, the Court cannot come to a satisfaction about the correctness of the decision- making process. Relying on the judgment of this Court in the case of K. Jain v.  Union  of  India54, he submits that unless the respondents plead privilege and the issue is decided, the respondent cannot withhold the said documents, at least from this Court.
  2. Relying on an excerpt from “Forks in the Road: My Days at RBI and Beyond”, a book by former RBI Governor Rangarajan, Shri Chidambaram submits that demonetization has nothing to do with monetary policy. Emphasizing on the judgment of this Court in the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra), the learned Senior Counsel submits that the proportionality test will have to be satisfied in the present case. It is submitted that the 2017 Act does  not validate the action taken  under  the  impugned  Notification. It only extinguishes the liabilities of the Issue Department  of  the RBI.    The  learned  Senior  Counsel,  therefore,  submits  that  this is a fit case wherein this Court should decide the scope of sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act and declare that the exercise of power by the Central Government under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act was not valid in law. In this respect, he relies on the judgment of this Court in the case of S.R. Bommai and others v. Union of India and others55.
  1. Shri Shyam Divan, learned Senior Counsel, in rejoinder, submits that the perusal of sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the RBI Act would reveal that, though the tendering of any series of bank notes of any denomination ceases to be a legal one under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, the guarantee of the Central Government continues to It is submitted that it would be clear from the provisions contained in the 2016 Ordinance, which became the 2017 Act, that Section 3 of the 2017 Act which provides that the SBNs  which have ceased  to be legal tender in view of the impugned notification, shall cease to be liabilities of the RBI under Section 34 of the RBI Act and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the said Act. It is submitted that this is also clear from the affidavit dated 16th November 2022 filed on behalf of the Union of India.
  1. Shri Divan further submitted that the 2017 Act  can neither be construed to validate the impugned notification nor can it be held that it is a piece of incorporation by reference.  It is submitted that the argument with regard to the impugned notification having merged in the 2017 Act is also without The learned Senior Counsel submits  that  it  is simply a plenary parliamentary declaration.
  1. Taking further his argument, Shri Divan submits that clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 gives a power to the Central Government which is coupled with a duty. It is submitted that genuine cases like that of the applicants/petitioners , Malvinder Singh and Sarla Shrivastav, who is the applicant/petitioner in I.A. No. 152009 of 2022, should be given some window to exchange the SBNs. It is submitted that there is a large section of NRIs who, during the period between 8th November 2016 and 30th December 2016, were not in India. It is submitted that they could have also not travelled to India since either the tickets were not available or the rates were prohibitively expensive.
  2. Shri Divan, in the alternative, submitted that the proviso to the Notification dated 30th December, 2016 has to be read in a manner that it is silent on NRIs who have kept their money in It is submitted that exclusion of NRIs who have left their money in India would be manifestly arbitrary and in order to save the proviso, it will have to be read in the manner making it inapplicable to such NRIs who had kept their money in India while residing abroad during that period.
  • VII. REFRAMED QUESTIONS

 

  1. Though nine important questions have been framed by the Bench of learned three Judges vide order dated 16th December 2016 in Writ Petition (Civil) No.906 of 2016, upon hearing the submissions advanced before us on behalf of the petitioners as well as the respondents, we find that only the following questions of law arise for consideration. As such, the questions are reframed as under:
  • Whether the power available to the Central Government under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act can be restricted to mean that it can be exercised only for “one” or “some” series of bank notes and not “all” series in view of the word “any” appearing before the word “series” in the said sub- section, specifically so, when on earlier two occasions, the demonetization exercise was done through the plenary legislations?
  • In the event it is held that the power  under  sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is construed to mean that it can be exercised in respect  of  “all” series of bank notes, whether the power vested  with the Central Government under the said sub-section would amount to conferring excessive delegation and as such, liable to be struck down?
  • As to whether the impugned Notification dated 8th November 2016 is liable to be struck down on the ground that the decision making process is flawed in law?
  • As to whether the impugned notification dated 8th November 2016 is liable to be struck down applying the test of proportionality?
  • As to whether the period provided for exchange of notes vide the impugned notification dated 8th November 2016 can be said to be unreasonable?
  • As to whether the RBI has an independent power under sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act in isolation of provisions of Section 3 and Section 4(1) thereof to accept the demonetized notes beyond the period specified in notifications issued under sub- section (1) of Section 4?
  • VIII.   STATUTORY SCHEME 
  1. Before we proceed to consider the various issues reframed by us, we find it appropriate to refer to the scheme of the RBI
  2. The preamble of the RBI Act would itself reveal that the RBI Act was enacted since it was found expedient to constitute a Reserve Bank of India to regulate the issue of Bank notes and for the keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage. The preamble of the RBI Act would also show that it was amended in the year 2016 with effect from 27th June 2016 by Act No. 28  of 2016. Post amendment, it was stated in the preamble that, whereas it was essential to have a modern monetary policy framework to meet the challenge of an increasingly complex economy, and whereas the primary objective of the monetary policy is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth and whereas the monetary policy framework in India shall be operated by the RBI, the RBI Act was enacted.
  1. Section 3 of the RBI Act would reveal that the RBI was constituted for the purposes of taking over the management of the currency from the Central Government and of carrying on the business of banking in accordance with the provisions of the RBI Act.
  1. Section 8 of the RBI Act deals with composition of  the Central Board and term of office of the It  will  be relevant to refer to sub-sections (1) and (5) of Section 8 of the RBI, which read thus:
  • 8. Composition of the Central Board, and term of office of Directors.–  (1) The Central Board shall consist of the following Directors, namely:-
  • a Governor and not more than four Deputy Governors to be appointed by the Central Government;
  • four Directors to be nominated by the Central Government, one from each of the four Local Boards as constituted by section 9;
  • ten Directors to be nominated by the Central Government; and
  • two Government officials to be nominated by the Central

(5)     No act or proceeding of the Board shall be questioned on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board.”

  1. Section 17 of the RBI Act would reveal that the RBI has been authorised to carry on and transact several kinds of business specified therein.
  2. Section 22 of the RBI Act would reveal that the RBI  shall have the sole right to issue bank notes in India and may, for a period which shall be fixed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Central Board,  issue  currency  notes  of the Government of India supplied to it by the Central It further provides that the provisions of the RBI Act applicable to bank notes shall, unless a contrary intention appears, apply to all currency notes of the Government of India issued either by the Central Government or by the RBI in like manner as if such currency notes were bank notes. Sub- section (2) of Section 22 of the RBI Act specifically provides that on and from the date on which Chapter III of the RBI Act comes into force, the Central Government shall not issue any currency notes.
  1. Section 23 of the RBI Act would reveal that the issue of bank notes shall be conducted by the RBI through an Issue Department which shall be separated and kept wholly distinct from the Banking Department, and the assets of the Issue Department shall not be subject to any liability other than the liabilities of the Issue Department as defined in Section Sub-section (2) of Section 23 provides that the Issue Department shall not issue bank notes to the Banking Department or to any other person except in exchange for other bank notes or for such coin, bullion or securities as are permitted by the RBI Act to form part of the Reserve.
  2. Sub-section (1) of Section 24 of the RBI Act provides that, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), bank notes shall be of the denominational values to two rupees, five rupees, ten rupees, twenty rupees, fifty rupees, one hundred rupees, five hundred  rupees,  one  thousand  rupees,  five  thousand  rupees and ten thousand rupees or of such other denominational values, not exceeding ten thousand rupees as the Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Central Board, specify in this behalf. Sub-section (2)  of  Section  24  of  the  RBI Act provides that the Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Central  Board,  direct  the  non-issue  or the discontinuance of issue of bank notes of such denominational values as it may specify in this behalf.
  1. Section 25 of the RBI Act provides that the design, form and the material of bank notes shall be such as may be approved by the Central Government after consideration of the recommendations made by the Central Board.
  2. Section 26 of the RBI is the provision which directly falls for The same reads thus:

“26. Legal tender  character of notes.-

  • Subject to the provisions of sub- section (2), every bank note shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment, or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government.
  • On recommendation of the Central Board the Central Government may, by notification in the Gazette of India, declare that,  with  effect  from  such  date as may  be  specified  in  the  notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender save at such office or agency of the Bank and to such extent as may be specified in the ”
  1. It can thus be seen that  sub-section  (1)  of  Section  26  of the RBI Act provides that, subject to  the  provisions  of  sub- section (2), every bank note shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment, or on account for  the  amount  expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act provides that on recommendation of the Central Board, the Central Government may, by notification in the Gazette of India, declare  that,  with effect from such date  as  may  be  specified  in  the  notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender save at such office or agency of the Bank and to such extent as may be specified in the notification.
  1. Section 34 of the RBI Act provides that the liabilities of the Issue Department of the RBI shall be an amount equal to the total of the amount of the currency notes of the Government of India and bank notes for the time being in
  2. Perusal of the aforesaid provisions of the RBI Act would reveal that insofar as monetary policy and specifically with regard to the matters of management and regulation of currency are concerned, the RBI plays a pivotal As a matter of fact, both the sides are ad idem on the said issue.
  3. The importance of the role assigned to the RBI in such matters would be amplified from the various judgments of this Court, which we will refer to in the paragraphs to In this background, we will consider the issues that fall for our consideration.

ISSUE NO. (i) : WHETHER THE POWER AVAILABLE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT UNDER SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 26 OF THE RBI ACT CAN BE  RESTRICTED  TO MEAN THAT IT CAN BE EXERCISED ONLY FOR “ONE” OR “SOME” SERIES OF BANK  NOTES  AND  NOT  “ALL”  SERIES IN VIEW OF THE WORD “ANY” APPEARING BEFORE THE WORD  “SERIES”  IN  THE  SAID  SUB-SECTION, SPECIFICALLY SO, WHEN ON EARLIER TWO  OCCASIONS, THE DEMONETIZATION EXERCISE WAS DONE THROUGH THE PLENARY LEGISLATIONS?

  1. It is strenuously urged by the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners that the word “any” used in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act will have to be given a restricted meaning to mean “some”. It is submitted that if sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is not read in such manner, the very power available under the said sub- section will have to be held to be invalid on the ground of excessive It is submitted that it cannot be construed that the legislature intended to bestow uncanalised, unguided and arbitrary power to the Central Government to demonetize the entire currency. It is, therefore, the submission of the petitioners that in order to save  the  said  Section  from being declared void, the word “any” requires to be interpreted in a restricted manner to mean “some”.
  1. Per contra, it is submitted on behalf of the respondents that the word “any” under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, cannot be interpreted in a narrow manner and it will have to be construed to include “all”.Precedents construing the word “any”

 

  1. A Constitution Bench of this Court in the case  of  The Chief Inspector of Mines and another v. Lala Karam Chand Thapar (supra) was considering the question as to whether the phrase “any one of the directors” as found in Section 76 of the Mines Act, 1952 could mean “only one of the directors” or could it be construed to mean “every one of the directors”. In the said case, all the directors of the Company were prosecuted for the offences punishable under Sections 73 and 74 of the Mines Act, 1952. The High Court had held that any ‘one’ of the directors of the Company could only be prosecuted. The Constitution Bench of this  Court  observed thus:
  • “It is quite clear and indeed not disputed that in some contexts, “any one” means “one only it matters not which one” the phrase “any of the directors” is therefore quite capable of meaning “only one of the directors, it does not matter which one”. Is the phrase however capable of no other meaning? If  it is  not, the courts cannot look further, and must interpret these words in that meaning only, irrespective of what the intention of the legislature might be believed to have been. If however the phrase is capable of another meaning, as suggested, viz., “every one of the directors” it will be necessary to decide which of the two meanings was intended by  the legislature.
  • If one examines the use of the words “any one” in common conversation or  literature,  there  can be no doubt that they are not infrequently used to mean “every one— not one, but all. Thus we say of any one can see that this is wrong,  to mean “everyone can see that this is wrong”. “Any one may enter” does not mean that “only one person may enter”, but that all may enter. It is permissible and indeed profitable to turn in this connection to the Oxford English Dictionary, at p.  378,  of which, we find the meaning of “any” given thus: “In affirmative sentences, it asserts, concerning a being or thing of the sort named, without limitation as to which, and thus collectively of every one of them”. One of the illustrations given is — “I challenge anyone to contradict my assertions”. Certainly, this does not mean that one only is challenged; but that all are challenged. It is abundantly clear therefore that “any one” is not infrequently used to mean “every one”.

 

  • But, argues Mr Pathak, granting that this is so, it must be held that when the phrase “any one” is used with the preposition “of”, followed by a word denoting a number of persons, it never means “every one”. The extract from the Oxford Dictionary, it is interesting to notice, speaks of  an  assertion “concerning a being or thing of the sort named”; it is not unreasonable  to  say that, the word “of” followed by a word denoting a number of persons or things is just such “naming of a sort” as mentioned there. Suppose,  the illustration “I challenge any one to contradict my assertions” was changed to “I challenge any one of my opponents to contradict my assertion”. “Any one of my opponents” here would mean “all my opponents” — not one only of the opponents.
  • While the phrase “any one of them” or any similar phrase consisting of “any one”, followed by “of” which is followed in its turn by words denoting a number of persons or things, does not appear  to have fallen for judicial construction,  in our courts or in England — the phrase “any of the present directors” had to be interpreted in an old English case, Isle of Wight Railway Co. v. Tahourdin [25 Chancery Division 320] . A number of shareholders required the directors to call a meeting of the company for two objects. One of the objects was mentioned as “To remove, if deemed necessary or expedient any of the present directors, and to elect directors to fill any vacancy on the Board”. The directors issued a notice to convene a meeting for the other objectand held the meeting. Then the shareholders, under the Companies Clauses Act, 1845, issued a notice of their own convening a meeting for both the objects in the original requisition. In an action by the directors to restrain the requisitionists, from holding the meeting, the Court of Appeal held that a notice to remove “any of the present directors” would justify a resolution for removing all who are directors at the present time. “Any”, Lord Cotton, L.J. pointed out, would involve “all”.
  • It is true that the language there was “any of the present directors” and not “any one of  the  present  directors”  and  it is urged that the word “one”, in the latter phrase makes all the difference. We think it will be wrong to put too much emphasis on the word “one” here. It may be pointed out in this connection that the Permanent Edition of Words and Phrases, mentions an American case Front & Hintingdon    Building  &  Loan Association v. Berzinski where the words “any of them” were held to be the equivalent of “any one of them”.
  • After giving the matter full and anxious consideration, we have come to the conclusion that the words “any one of the directors” is ambiguous; in some contexts, it means “only one of the directors, does not matter which one”, but in other contexts, it is capable of meaning “every one of the directors”. Which of these two meanings was intended by the legislature in any particular statutory phrase has to be decided by the courts on a consideration of the context in which the words appear, and in particular, the scheme and object of the legislation.

[emphasis supplied]

 

  1. The Constitution Bench found that the words “any one” has been commonly used to mean “every one” i.e. not one, but It found that the word “any”, in affirmative sentences, asserts, concerning a being or thing of the sort named, without limitation. It held that it is abundantly clear that the word “any one” is not infrequently used to mean “every one”.
  2. It could be seen that the Constitution Bench, after giving the matter full and anxious consideration, came to the conclusion that the words “any one of the directors” was an ambiguous one. It held that in some contexts, it means “only one of the directors, does not matter which one”, but in other contexts, it is capable of meaning “every one of the directors”. It held that which of these two meanings was intended by the legislature in any particular statutory phrase has to be decided by the courts on consideration of the context in which  the words appear, and in particular, the scheme and object of the legislation.
  1. After examining the scheme of the Mines Act, 1952, the Constitution Bench of this Court further observed thus:
  • “But, argues Mr Pathak, one must not forget the special rule of interpretation for “penal statute” that if the language is ambiguous, the interpretation in   favour of the accused should ordinarily be adopted. If you interpret “any one” in the sense suggested by him, the   legislation he suggests is void and so the accused escapes. One of the two possible constructions, thus being in favour of the accused, should therefore be adopted. In our opinion, there is no substance in this contention. The rule of strict interpretation of penal statutes in favour of the accused is not of universal application, and must be considered along with other well- established rules of interpretation. We have already seen that the  scheme and object of the statute makes it reasonable to think that the legislature intended to subject all the directors of a company owning coal mines to prosecution and penalties, and not one only of the directors. In the face of these considerations there is no scope here of the application of the rule for strict interpretation of penal statutes in favour of the accused.
  • The High Court appears to have been greatly impressed by the fact that in other statutes where the legislature wanted to make every one out of a group or a class of persons liable it used clear language expressing the intention; and that the phrase “any one” has not been used in any other statute in this country to express “every one”. It will be unreasonable, in our opinion, to attach too much weight to this circumstance; and as for the reasons mentioned above, we think the phrase “any  one of the directors”  is capable of meaning “every one of the directors”, the fact that in other statutes, different words were used to express a similar meaning is not of any significance.
  • We  have,  on  all  these considerations come to the conclusion that the words “any one of the directors” has been used in Section 76 to mean “every one of the directors”, and that the contrary interpretation given by the High Court is  not correct.

[emphasis supplied]

 

  1. It could thus be seen that though it  was  sought  to  be argued before the Court that since the rule of strict interpretation of penal statutes  in favour  of the  accused  has  to be adopted and that the word “any” was suffixed by the word “one”, it has to be given restricted meaning; the Court came to the conclusion that the words “any one of the directors” used in Section 76 of the Mines Act, 1952 would mean “every one of the directors”. It is further to be noted that the word “any” in the said case was suffixed by the  word  “one”,  still  the  Court  held that the words “any one” would mean “all” and not “one”. It is to be noted that in the present case, the legislature has not employed the word “one” after the word “any”. It is settled law that it has to be construed that every single word employed or not employed by the legislature has a purpose behind it.
  1. On the very date on which the judgment in the  case  of The Chief Inspector of Mines and another Lala Karam Chand Thapar etc. (supra) was pronounced, the same Constitution Bench also pronounced the  judgment in the  case of Banwarilal Agarawalla (supra), wherein the Constitution Bench observed thus:
  • “The first contention is based on an assumption that the word “any one” in Section 76 means only “one of the directors, and only one of the shareholders”. This question as regards the interpretation of the word “any one” in Section 76 was raised in Criminal Appeals Nos. 98 to 106 of 1959 (Chief Inspector of Mines, etc.) and it has been decided there that the word “any one” should be interpreted there as “every one”. Thus under Section 76 every  one of the shareholders of a private company owning the mine, and every one of the directors of a public company owning the mine is liable to prosecution. No question of violation of Article 14 therefore arises.”

 

  1. Another Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Tej Kiran Jain and others (supra) was considering the provisions of Article 105 of the Constitution of India and, particularly, the immunity as available to the Member of Parliament “in respect of anything said……..  in  Parliament”. The Constitution Bench observed thus:
  • 8. In our judgment it is not possible to read the provisions of the article in the way suggested. The article means what it says in language which could not be plainer. The article confers immunity inter alia in respect of “anything said … in Parliament”. The word “anything”  is of the widest import and is equivalent to “everything”. The only limitation arises from the words “in Parliament” which means during the sitting of Parliament and in the course of the business of Parliament. We are concerned only with speeches in Lok Sabha. Once it was proved that Parliament was sitting and its business was being transacted, anything said during the course of that business was immune from proceedings in  any  Court this immunity  is not  only complete but is as it should be. It is of the essence of parliamentary system of Government that people’s representatives should be free to express themselves without fear of legal consequences. What they say is only subject to the discipline of the rules of Parliament, the good sense of the members and the control  of  proceedings by the  Speaker.  The  Courts  have  no  say in the matter and should really have none.”

 

  1. This Court held that the word “anything” is of the widest import and is equivalent to “everything”. The only  limitation arises from the words “in Parliament” which means during the sitting of Parliament and in the course of the business of It held that, once it was proved that Parliament was sitting and its business was being  transacted,  anything  said during the course of that business was immune from proceedings in any Court.
  1. This Court, in the case of Lucknow Development Authority (supra), was considering clause (o) of Section (2) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 which defines “service”, wherein the word “any” again fell for consideration. This Court observed thus:
  • 4. …… The words ‘any’ and ‘potential’ are significant. Both are of wide amplitude. The word ‘any’ dictionarily means ‘one or some or all’. In Black’s Law Dictionary it is explained thus, “word ‘any’ has a diversity of meaning and may be employed to indicate ‘all’ or ‘every’ as well as ‘some’ or ‘one’ and its meaning in a given statute depends upon the context and the subject-matter of the  statute”. The use of the word ‘any’ in the context it has been used in clause (o) indicates that it has been used in wider sense extending from one to all……”
  1. This Court held that the word “any” is of wide

It means “one or some or all”. Referring to Black’s Law Dictionary, the Court observed that the word “any” has a diversity of meaning and may be employed to indicate “all” or “every” as well as “some” or “one”. However, the meaning which is  to  be  given  to  it  would  depend  upon  the  context  and  the subject-matter of the statute.

  1. In the case of P. Mohammed Salim (supra), this Court was considering the power of the Director General or Chief Commissioner or Commissioner to transfer any case from one or more assessing officers subordinate to him to any other assessing officer or assessing officers. This Court  observed thus:
  • 17. The word “any” must be read in the context of the statute and for the said purpose, it may in a situation of this nature, means all. The principles of purposive construction for the said purpose may be resorted to. (See New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Nusli Neville Wadia [(2008) 3 SCC 279 : (2007) 13 SCR 598]) Thus, in the context of a statute, the word “any” may be read as all in the context of the Income Tax Act for which the power of transfer has been conferred upon the authorities specified under Section 127.”
  1. The Court again  reiterated  that  the  word  “any”  must  be read in the context of the statute.     The Court also applied the principles of purposive construction to the term “any” to mean“all”.
  1. In the case of Raj Kumar Shivhare (supra), an argument was sought to be advanced that since Section 35 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 uses the words “any decision or order”, only appeals from final order could be filed. Rejecting the said contention, this Court observed thus:
  • 19. The word “any” in this context would mean “all”. We are of this opinion in view of the fact that this section confers a right of appeal on any person aggrieved. A right of appeal, it is well settled, is  a  creature of statute. It is never an inherent right, like that of filing a suit. A right of filing a suit, unless it is barred by statute, as it is barred here under Section 34 of FEMA, is an inherent right (see Section 9 of the Civil Procedure Code) but a right of appeal is always conferred by a statute. While conferring such right a statute may impose restrictions, like limitation or pre- deposit of penalty or it may limit the area of appeal to questions of law or sometime to substantial questions of law. Whenever such limitations are imposed, they are to be strictly followed. But in a case wherethere  is  no  limitation  on  the  nature  of order or decision to  be  appealed  against, as in this  case,  the  right of appeal cannot be further curtailed by this Court on the basis of an interpretative exercise.
  1. Under Section 35 of FEMA, the legislature has conferred a right of appeal to a person aggrieved from “any” “order” or “decision” of the Appellate Tribunal. Of course such appeal will have to be on a question of law. In this context the word “any” would mean “all”.
  1. In the instant case also when a right is conferred on a person aggrieved to file appeal from “any” order or decision of the Tribunal, there is no reason, in the absence of a contrary statutory intent, to give it a restricted meaning. Therefore, in our judgment in Section 35 of FEMA, any “order” or “decision” of the Appellate Tribunal would mean all decisions or orders of the Appellate Tribunal and all such decisions or orders are, subject to limitation, appealable  to the High Court on a question of law.”

 

 

  1. While holding that the word “any” in the context  would mean “all”, this Court observed that a right of appeal is always conferred by a It has been held  that,  while  conferring such right, a statute may impose restrictions, like limitation or pre-deposit of penalty or it may limit the area of appeal to questions of law or sometime to substantial questions of law.  It has been held that whenever such limitations are imposed, they are to be strictly followed. It has been held that in a case where there is no limitation, the right of appeal cannot be curtailed by this Court on the basis of an interpretative exercise.
  2. Shri Chidambaram, learned Senior Counsel relied  on the  judgment of  this Court in  the  case  of  Union  of  India  v. A.B. Shah and others (supra). In  the  said  case,  the  High Court was considering an appeal preferred by the Union  of India wherein it had challenged the acquittal of the accused by the learned trial court, which was confirmed in appeal by the High Court.   The learned trial court and the High Court had held that the complaint filed was beyond limitation. This Court reversed the judgments of the learned trial court and the High Court. This Court  while  interpreting  the  expression  “at  any time” observed thus:
  • 12. If we look into Conditions 3 and 6 with the object and purpose of the Act in mind, it has to be held that these conditions are not only relatable to what was required at the commencement of depillaring process, but the unstowing for the required length must exist always. The expression “at any time” finding place in Condition 6 has  to  mean,  in the context in which it has been used, “at any point of time”, the effect  of which is that the required length must be maintained all the time. The accomplishment of object of the Act, one of which is safety in the mines, requires taking of such a view, especially in the backdrop of repeated mine disasters which have been taking, off and on, heavy toll of lives of the miners. It  may be  pointed out that the word ‘any’ has a diversity of meaning and in Black’s Law Dictionary it has been stated that this word may be employed to indicate ‘all’ or ‘every’, and its meaning will depend “upon the context and subject- matter of the statute”. A reference to what has been stated in Stroud’s Judicial Dictionary Vol. I, is revealing inasmuch as the import of the word ‘any’ has been explained from pp. 145 to 153 of the 4th Edn., a perusal of which shows it has different          connotations   depending primarily on the subject-matter of the statute and the context of its  use.  A Bench of this Court in Lucknow Development  Authority v. M.K. Gupta [(1994) 1 SCC 243] , gave a very wide meaning to this word finding place in Section 2(o) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 defining ‘service’. (See para 4)”

 

  1. Shri Chidambaram rightly argued that the word “any” will have to be construed in its context, taking into consideration the scheme and the purpose of the enactment. There can be no quarrel with regard to the said proposition. Right from the judgment of the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of The Chief Inspector of Mines and another Lala Karam Chand Thapar etc. (supra), the position is clear. What is the meaning which the legislature intended to give to a particular statutory provision has to be decided by the Court on a consideration of the context in which the word(s) appear(s) and in particular, the scheme and object of the legislation.
  • Purposive interpretation

 

  1. We find that for deciding the present issue, it will also be necessary to refer an important principle of interpretation of statutes e. of purposive interpretation.
  2. “Legislation has an aim, it seeks to obviate some mischief, to supply an inadequacy, to effect a change of policy, to formulate a plan of government. That aim, that policy is not drawn, like nitrogen, out of the air; it is evidenced in the language of the statute, as read in the light of other external manifestations of purpose [Some Reflections on the Reading of Statutes, 47 Columbia LR 527, at 538 (1947)].”
  3. This is how Justice Frankfurter succinctly propounds the principle of purposive interpretation. It is thus necessary to cull out the legislative policy from various factors like the words in the statute, the preamble of the Act, the statement of objects and reasons, and in a given case, even the attendant circumstances. After the legislative policy is found, then the words used in the statute must be so interpreted such that it advances the purpose of the statute and does not defeat it.
  1. Francis Bennion in his treatise Statutory Interpretation, at page 810 described purposive construction in an equally eloquent manner as under:
  • “(A) purposive construction of an enactment is one which gives effect to the legislative purpose by—
  • following the literal meaning of the enactment where that meaning is in accordance with the legislative purpose (in this Code called a purposive-and- literal construction), or
  • applying a strained meaning where the literal meaning is not in accordance with the legislative purpose (in the Code called a  purposive-and-strained construction).”
  1. A statute must be construed having regard to the legislative It has to be  meaningful. A  construction which leads to manifest absurdity must not be preferred to a construction which would fulfil the object and purport of the legislative intent.
  1. Aharon Barak, the former President of the Supreme Court of Israel, whose exposition of “doctrine of proportionality” has found approval by the Constitution Bench of this  Court  in  the case of Modern Dental College and Research Centre and Others (supra), to which we will refer to in the forthcoming paragraphs, in his commentary on “Purposive Interpretation in Law”, has summarized ‘the goal of  interpretation  in  law’  as under:
  • “At some point, we need to find an Archimedean foothold, external to the text, from which to answer that question. My answer is this: The goal of interpretation in law is to achieve the objective – in other words, the purpose  – of   law.56          The role of a system of interpretation in law is to choose, from among the semantic options for a given text, the meaning that best achieves the purpose of  the  text. Each  legal  text  – will, contract, statute, and constitution – was chosen to achieve a social objective. Achieving this objective, achieving this purpose, is the goal of  interpretation. The system of interpretation is the device and the means. It is  a  tool  through which law achieves self-realization. In interpreting a given text, which is, after all, what interpretation in law does, a system of interpretation must guarantee that the purpose of the norm trapped in the – in our terminology, the purpose of the text – will be achieved in the best way. Hence the requirement that the system of interpretation be a rational activity. A coin toss will not do. This is also the rationale – which is at  the core of my own views – for the belief that purposive interpretation is the most proper system of interpretation. This system is proper because it guarantees the achievement of the purpose of law. There is social, jurisprudential, hermeneutical, and constitutional support for my claim that the proper criterion for interpretation is the search for law’s purpose, and that purposive interpretation best fulfills that criterion. A comparative look at the law supports it, as well. I will discuss each element of that support below.”
  1. The learned Judge emphasized that purposive interpretation is the most proper system of interpretation. He observed that this system is proper because it guarantees the achievement of the purpose of law. The proper criterion for interpretation is the search for law’s purpose, and that purposive interpretation best fulfills that criterion.
  1. The principle of purposive interpretation has also been expounded through a catena of judgments of this A Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of M. Pentiah and others v. Muddala Veeramallappa and others57 was considering a question, as to whether the term prescribed in Section 34 would apply to a member of a “deemed” committee under the provisions of the Hyderabad District Municipalities Act, 1956. An argument was put forth that, upon a correct interpretation of the provisions of Section 16, the same would be permissible. Rejecting the said argument, K. Subba Rao, J, observed thus:
  • “Before we consider this argument in some detail, it will be convenient at this stage to notice some of the well established rules of Construction which would help us to steer clear of the complications created  by  the Act. Maxwell on the Interpretation of Statutes, 10th Edn., says at p. 7 thus:
  • “… if the choice is between two interpretations, the narrower of which would fail to achieve the manifest purpose of  the legislation, we should avoid a construction which would reduce the legislation to futility and should rather accept the bolder construction based on the view that Parliament would legislate only for the purpose of bringing about an effective result”.

It is said in Craies on Statute Law, 5th Edn., at p. 82—

  • “Manifest absurdity or futility, palpable injustice, or absurd inconvenience or anomaly to be avoided.”
  • Lord Davey in Canada  Sugar  Refining Co. v. R. [(1898) AC 735] provides another useful guide of correct perspective to such a problem in the following words:
  • “Every clause of a statute should be construed with reference to the context and the other clauses of the Act, so as, so far as possible, to make a consistent enactment of the whole statute or series of statutes    relating   to   the    subject- matter.””
  1. K. Sarkar, J. in his concurring opinion observed thus:
  • “There is no doubt that the Act raises some difficulty. It was certainly not intended that the members elected to the Committee under the repealed Act should be given a permanent tenure of office nor that there would be no elections under the new Act. Yet such a result would appear to follow if the language used in the new Act is strictly and literally interpreted. It is however well established that “Where the language of a statute, in its ordinary meaning and grammatical construction, leads to a manifest contradiction of the apparent purpose of the enactment, or to some inconvenience or absurdity, hardship or in justice, presumably not intended, a construction may be put upon it which modifies the meaning of the words, and even the structure of the sentence.…Where the main object and intention of a statute are clear, it must not be reduced to a nullity by  the draftsman’s unskilfulness or ignorance  of  the law, except in a case of necessity, or the absolute intractability of the language used. Nevertheless, the courts are very reluctant to substitute words in a Statute, or to add words to it,  and  it has been said that they will only do so where there is a repugnancy to good Sense.”: see Maxwell on Statutes (10th Edn.) p. 229. In Seaford  Court  Estates Ltd. v. Asher [(1949) 2 AER 155, 164] , Denning, L.J. said:
  • “when a defect appears a judge cannot simply fold his hands and blame the draftsman. He must set to work on the constructive task of finding the intention of Parliament … and then he must supplement the written word  so as to give “force and life” to the intention of the legislature …. A judge should ask himself the question how, if the makers of the Act had themselves come across this ruck in the texture of it, they would have straightened it  out? He must then do as they would have done. A judge must not alter the material of which the Act is woven, but he can  and  should iron out the creases.””

 

  1. Another Constitution Bench Judgment of this Court in the case of Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh and others v. L.V.A. Dixitulu and others58 reiterated the position in the following words:
  • 67. Where two alternative constructions are possible, the court must choose the one which will be in accord with the other parts of the statute and ensure its smooth, harmonious working, and eschew the other which leads to absurdity, confusion, or friction, contradiction and conflict between its various provisions, or undermines, or tends to defeat or destroy the basic scheme and purpose  of the enactment.…….”
  1. In the case of M/s Girdhari Lal and Sons v. Balbir Nath Mathur and others59, O. Chinnappa Reddy, explained the position as under:
  • 9. So we see that the primary and foremost task of a court in interpreting a statute is to ascertain the  intention  of the legislature, actual or imputed. Having ascertained the intention, the court must then strive to so interpret the statute as to promote or advance the object and purpose of  the  enactment. For this purpose, where necessary the court may even depart from the rule that plain words should be interpreted according to their plain meaning. There need be no meek and mute  submission to the plainness of the language.  To avoid patent injustice, anomaly or absurdity or to avoid invalidation of a law, the court would be well justified in departing from the so-called golden rule of construction so as to give effect to the object and purpose of the enactment by supplementing the written word if necessary.”
  1. After referring to various earlier judgments of other jurisdictions, His Lordship observed thus:

“16. Our own court has generally taken the view that ascertainment of legislative intent is a basic rule of statutory construction and that  a rule of construction should be preferred which advances the purpose and object of a legislation and that though a construction, according to plain language, should ordinarily be adopted, such a construction should not be adopted where it leads to  anomalies, injustices or absurdities, vide K.P. Varghese v. ITO [(1981)  4  SCC  173  :1981 SCC (Tax) 293] , State Bank of Travancore v. Mohd. M. Khan [(1981) 4 SCC 82] , Som Prakash Rekhi v. Union of India [(1981)   1   SCC     449   :    1981   SCC (L&S) 200]  , Ravula Subba Rao v. CIT [AIR 1956 SC 604 : 1956 SCR 577]    , Govindlal v. Agricultural        Produce Market  Committee [(1975)  2  SCC  482  : AIR 1976  SC 263  : (1976) 1  SCR 451] and Babaji      Kondaji v. Nasik       Merchants Coop. Bank Ltd. [(1984) 2 SCC 50]”

 

  1. N. Venkatachaliah, J. speaking for the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Tinsukhia Electric Supply Co. Ltd. v. State of Assam and others60 observed thus:
  • 118. The courts strongly lean against any construction which tends to reduce a statute to futility. The provision of a statute must be so construed as to make it effective and operative, on the principle “ut res magis valeat quam pereat”. It is, no doubt, true that if a statute is absolutely vague and its language wholly intractable and absolutely meaningless, the statute could be declared void for vagueness. This is not in judicial review by testing the law for arbitrariness or unreasonableness under Article 14; but what a court of construction,  dealing with the language of a statute, does in order to ascertain from, and accord to, the statute the meaning and purpose which the legislature intended  for  it. In Manchester            Ship            Canal Co. v. Manchester Racecourse Co. [(1904) 2 Ch 352 : 16 TLR 429 : 83 LT 274] Farwell J. said: (pp. 360-61)
  • “Unless the words were so absolutely senseless that I could do nothing at all with them, I should be bound to find some meaning and not to declare them void for uncertainty.”
  1. In Fawcett Properties v. Buckingham County Council [(1960) 3 All ER 503] Lord Denning approving the dictum of Farwell, J., said:(All ER p. 516)
  • “But when a Statute has some meaning, even though it is obscure, or several meanings, even though  there is little to choose between them, the courts have to say what meaning the statute to bear rather than reject it as a nullity.”
  1. It is, therefore, the court’s duty to make what it can of the statute, knowing that the statutes are meant to be operative and not inept and the nothing short of impossibility should allow a court to declare  a  statute  unworkable. In Whitney v. IRC [1926 AC 37] Lord Dunedin said: (AC p. 52)
  • “A statute is designed to be workable, and the interpretation thereof by a court should be to secure that object, unless crucial omission or clear direction makes that end unattainable.””
  1. In the case of State of Gujarat and another   Justice R.A. Mehta (Retired) and others61, this Court held as under:
  • 98. The doctrine of purposive construction may be taken recourse to for the purpose of giving full effect to statutory provisions, and the courts must state what meaning the statute should bear, rather than rendering the statute a nullity, as  statutes  are  meant to be operative and not inept. The courts must refrain from declaring a statute to be unworkable. The rules of interpretation   require that construction which carries forward the objectives of the statute, protects interest of the parties and keeps the remedy alive, should be preferred looking into the text  and  context  of the statute. Construction given by the court must promote the object of the statute and serve the purpose for which it has been enacted and not efface its very purpose. “The courts strongly lean against any construction which tends to reduce a statute to futility. The provision of the statute must be so construed as to make it effective and operative.” The court must take a pragmatic view and must keep in mind the purpose for which the statute  was  enacted  as  the  purpose of law itself  provides  good  guidance to courts as they interpret the true meaning of the Act and thus legislative futility  must  be  ruled  out. A statute must be construed in such a manner so as to ensure that  the  Act itself does not become a dead letter and the obvious intention of the legislature does not stand defeated unless it leads to a case of  absolute  intractability  in use. The court must adopt a construction which suppresses the mischief and advances the remedy and “to suppress subtle inventions and evasions for continuance of the mischief, and pro privato commodo, and to add force and life to the cure and remedy, according to the true intent of the makers of the Act, pro bono publico”. The court must give effect to the purpose and object of the Act for the reason that legislature is presumed to have enacted a    reasonable    statute.    (Vide M. Pentiah v. Muddala Veeramallappa [AIR 1961 SC 1107] , S.P. Jain v. Krishna Mohan  Gupta [(1987)  1  SCC  191  :  AIR 1987 SC 222] , RBI v. Peerless General Finance and Investment Co.  Ltd. [(1987) 1   SCC   424   :   AIR   1987   SC   1023] , Tinsukhia          Electric        Supply          Co. Ltd. v. State of Assam [(1989) 3 SCC 709 : AIR 1990 SC 123] , SCC p. 754, para 118,  UCO              Bank v. Rajinder                Lal Capoor [(2008) 5 SCC 257 : (2008) 2 SCC (L&S) 263] and Grid Corpn.  of Orissa Ltd. v. Eastern    Metals    and    Ferro Alloys [(2011) 11 SCC 334].)”

 

  1. The principle of purposive construction has been enunciated in various subsequent judgments of this However, we would not like to burden this judgment with a plethora of citations. Suffice it to say, the law on the issue is very well crystalized.
  2. It is thus clear that it is a settled principle that the modern approach of interpretation is a pragmatic one, and not An interpretation which advances the purpose  of the Act and which ensures  its  smooth  and  harmonious  working must be chosen and the other which leads to absurdity, or confusion, or friction, or contradiction and conflict between its various provisions, or undermines, or tends to defeat or destroy the basic scheme and purpose of the enactment must be eschewed. The primary and foremost task of the Court in interpreting a statute is to gather the intention of the legislature,   actual   or   imputed. Having ascertained the intention, it is the duty of the Court to strive to so interpret the statute as to promote or advance the object and purpose of the enactment. For this purpose, where necessary, the Court may even depart from the rule that plain words should be interpreted according to their plain meaning. There need be no meek and mute submission to the plainness of the language. To avoid patent injustice, anomaly or absurdity or to avoid invalidation of a law, the court would be justified in departing from the so-called golden rule of construction so as to  give effect to the object and purpose of the enactment. Ascertainment of legislative intent is the basic rule of statutory construction.Construction of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.

 

  1. Applying the aforesaid pronouncements on the construction of the term “any” and the principle of purposive construction, we will now consider the scope of the term “any” used in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  2. Sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act empowers the Central Government to issue a  notification  in  the  Gazette  of India thereby declaring that, with effect  from  such date  as  may be specified in the notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender. It further provides that such an action has to be taken by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Central Board.
  3. As already discussed herein above, the RBI Act is a special Act, vesting all the powers and functions with regard to monetary policy and all matters pertaining to management and regulation of currency with the The Central Government is required to take its decision on the basis of the recommendation of the Central Board.
  1. It could thus be seen that power is vested with the Central Government and that power has to be exercised on the recommendation of the RBI. Both sides agree that RBI plays a unique role in the matter of monetary policy and issuance of The Central Government is empowered under sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act to notify any series of bank notes of any denomination to cease to  be  a  legal  tender. The effect of such a notification would be that the liabilities as provided under Section 34 of the RBI Act and the guarantee as provided under sub-section (1)  of  Section  26  of  the  RBI  Act shall cease to have effect on such  notification  being  issued thereby demonetizing the bank notes.
  2. As already discussed herein above, the RBI Act has been enacted to regulate the issue of bank notes and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the Section 3 of the RBI Act provides that the RBI has been constituted for the purposes of taking over the  management  of  the  currency from the Central Government and carrying on the business of banking in accordance with the provisions of the RBI Act. Sub- section (1) of Section 22 of the RBI Act  provides  that  the  RBI shall have the sole right to issue bank notes in India. However, for a period  which is to  be fixed  by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Central Board, it can issue currency notes of the Government of India supplied to it by the Central Government. Further, sub-section (2) of Section 22 of the RBI Act specifically prohibits the Central Government  from  issuing any currency notes on  and  from  the  date  on  which Chapter  III of the RBI Act comes into effect.
  1. It can thus clearly be seen that a primary and very important role is assigned to the RBI in the matter of issuance of bank As held by this Court in the case  Peerless General Finance and Investment Co. Limited and another (supra), the RBI has a large contingent of expert advice available to it. The  Central  Government  would  exercise  its power on the recommendation of the Central Board. When the legislature itself has provided that the Central Government would take a decision after considering the recommendation of the Central Board of the RBI, which has been assigned a primary role in matters with regard to monetary policy and management and regulation of currency, we are of the view that the legislature could not have  intended  to  give  a  restricted power under sub-section (2)  of  Section  26  of  the  RBI  Act. In any case, if the argument that the provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act have to be interpreted in a restricted manner, is to be accepted, it may, at times, lead to an anomalous situation.
  1. For example, if there are 20 series of a particular denomination, and if the argument of the petitioners is to be accepted, the Central Government would be empowered to demonetize 19 series of a particular denomination, leaving one series of the said denomination to continue to be a legal tender, which would lead to a chaotic situation.
  1. As discussed hereinabove, the policy underlining the provisions of Section 26 of the RBI Act is to enable the Central Government on the recommendation of the Central Board, to effect demonetization. The same can be done in respect of any series of bank notes of any denomination. The legislative policy is with regard to management and regulation of Demonetization of notes would certainly be a part of management and regulation of currency. The legislature has empowered the Central Government to exercise such a power. The Central Government may take recourse to such a power when it finds necessary to do so taking into consideration myriad factors. No doubt that such factors must have reasonable nexus with the object sought to be achieved. If the Central Government finds that fake notes of a particular denomination are widely in circulation or that they are being used to promote terrorism, can it be said, for instance, that out of 20 series of bank notes of a particular denomination, it can demonetize only 19 series  of bank notes but not all 20 series? In our view, this will result in nothing else but absurdity  and the very purpose for which the power is vested shall stand frustrated. An interpretation which, in effect, nullifies the purpose for which a power is to be exercised, in our view, would be opposed to the principle of purposive interpretation.   Such an interpretation, in our view, rather than advancing the object of the enactment, would defeat the same.
  1. Another line of argument that is  sought  to  be  advanced with regard to the submission that the power under sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act has to be construed to restricting it to “one” or “some” series of bank notes, is that the Parliament also meant the same inasmuch as on earlier two occasions i.e. in 1946 and 1978 the demonetization exercise in respect of “all” series was done by resorting to plenary Shri Chidambaram has taken us through various volumes of the history of the RBI. Perusal of Volume I there of would reveal that, in 1946, it is not known when the Government Authorities started thinking on the demonetization measure, but the final consultation could take place with the Governor and Deputy Governor. It appears that the RBI authorities  were not enthusiastic bout the scheme. It appears that in spite of the opposition by the then Governor of the RBI, Shri C.D. Deshmukh,  the  Government  went  ahead with the scheme and issued an  ordinance  on  12th  January 1946.
  1. Further, perusal of Volume III would reveal that the then Governor G. Patel was not in favour of the demonetization scheme of 1978. However, in spite of the opposition of the Governor of the RBI, the Government went ahead with the demonetization scheme and issued an ordinance in  the  early hours  of  16th January  1978  and  the  news  was  announced  on All India Radio’s news bulletin at 9 am on the same day.
  1. It could thus be seen that on earlier two occasions, since the RBI was not in favour of the demonetization, the Government resorted to promulgating ordinances for the said purpose.
  2. It is to be noted that after the ordinance of 1946 was promulgated, the RBI Act was amended vide Act No.62 of 1956 and Section 26A was added, thereby specifically providing that no bank note of the denominational value of 500/-, Rs. 1,000/- and Rs.10,000/- issued before the 13th day of January 1946 shall be legal tender in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein.
  3. After the ordinance was issued on 16th January 1978, the same transformed into an Act of Parliament upon the President of India giving his assent to the Act on 30th March 1978
  4. Merely because on earlier two occasions the Government decided to take recourse to plenary power of legislation, this, by itself, cannot be a ground to give a restricted meaning to the word “any” in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act. As already discussed herein above, in our considered view, the legislative intent could not have been to give a restricted meaning to the word “any” in  sub-section  (2)  of  Section  26  of the RBI Act.
  1. We are, therefore, unable to accept the contention that the word “any” has to be given a restricted meaning taking into consideration the overall scheme, purpose and the object of the RBI Act and also the context in which the power is to be We find that the word “any” would mean “all” under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  • ISSUE NO. (ii): IN THE EVENT IT IS  HELD  THAT  THE POWER UNDER SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 26 OF THE RBI ACT IS CONSTRUED TO MEAN THAT IT CAN BE EXERCISED IN RESPECT OF “ALL” SERIES OF BANK NOTES, WHETHER THE POWER VESTED WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE SAID SUB-SECTION WOULD AMOUNT TO CONFERRING  EXCESSIVE DELEGATION AND AS SUCH, LIABLE TO BE STRUCK DOWN?
  1. The second limb of argument on behalf of the petitioners is that, if the word “any” used in sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is not given a restricted meaning, then sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act will have to be held invalid on the ground that it confers excessive delegation upon the Central Government.
  1. It is submitted that sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act vests uncanalised, unguided and arbitrary powers in the Central Government and as such, on this ground alone, the said provision is liable to be struck down
  2. Shri P. Chidambaram, learned Senior Counsel has relied on the Constitution Bench judgment of this Court in the case of Hamdard Dawakhana (Wakf) Lal Kuan, Delhi and another (supra) to buttress his Precedents considering delegated legislation

 

  1. In the case of Hamdard Dawakhana (Wakf) Lal  Kuan, Delhi and another (supra), the Constitution Bench of this Court while considering the validity of clause (d) of Section 3 of the Drug and  Magic  Remedies  (Objectionable  Advertisement) Act, (21 of 1954) observed thus:
  • 33. The interdiction under the Act is applicable to conditions and diseases set out in the various clauses of  Section  3 and to those that may under the last part of clause (d) be specified in the Rules made under Section 16. The first sub- section of Section 16 authorises the making of rules to carry out the purposes of the Act and clause (a) of sub-section (2) of that section specifically authorises the specification of diseases or conditions to which the provisions of Section 3 shall apply. It is the first sub-section of Section 16 which confers the general rule-making power i.e. it delegates to the administrative authority the power to frame rules and regulations to subserve the object and purpose of the Act. Clause (a)  of  the  second  sub-section  is  merely illustrative of the power given under the first sub-section; King-Emperor v. Sibnath Banerji [(1945) LR 72 IA 241] . Therefore, sub-section 2(a) also  has  the same object as sub-section (1) i.e. to carry out the purposes of the Act. Consequently,  when the rule-making authority specifies conditions and diseases  in  the  Schedule it exercises the same  delegated  authority as it does when it exercises powers under sub-section (1) and makes other rules and therefore it is delegated  legislation. The question for decision then   is,   is the delegation constitutional   in   that the administrative authority has been supplied with proper guidance. In our view the words impugned are vague. Parliament  has  established   no criteria, no standards and has not prescribed any principle on which a particular disease or   condition   is   to be specified in the Schedule. It is  not stated what facts or circumstances  are  to be taken into consideration to include a particular condition or disease. The power of specifying diseases and conditions as given in Section 3(d) must therefore be held to be going beyond permissible boundaries of valid delegation. As a consequence the Schedule in the rules must be struck down. But that would not affect such conditions and diseases which properly fall within the four clauses of Section 3 excluding the portion of clause (d) which has been declared to be unconstitutional. In the view we have taken it is unnecessary to consider the applicability of Baxter v. Ah Way [(1957) SCR 604].”
  1. In the said case, this Court found that sub-section (1) of Section 16 conferred a power on the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. The Court further found that, it is the first sub-section of  Section  16 which confers the general rule-making power i.e. it delegates to the administrative authority the power to frame rules and regulations to subserve the object and purpose of the Act. The Court found that the question, therefore,  was,  as to  whether the delegation to the administrative authority without supplying proper guidance was constitutional  or  The Court held that the words impugned were vague and Parliament had established no criteria, no standards and had not prescribed any principle on which a particular disease or condition was to be specified in the Schedule. The Court, therefore, held clause (d) of Section 3 to be  amounting  to excessive delegation and as such unconstitutional.
  1. In the case of Harakchand Ratanchand Banthia and others (supra), the Constitution Bench of this Court was considering the power given to the Administrator under the Gold (Control) Act, 1968. Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968, which confers power on the Administrator to issue directions and orders, fell for consideration, which read thus:
  • “5. Power of Administrator issue directions and orders.– (1) The Administrator may, if he thinks fit, make orders, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
  • The Administrator may, so far as it appears to him to be necessary or expedient for carrying out the  provisions of this Act, by order—
  • regulate, after consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, the price at which any gold may be bought or sold, and
  • regulate by licences, permits or otherwise, the manufacture, distribution, transport, acquisition, possession, transfer, disposal, use or consumption of gold.”

 

  1. It can be seen that under clause (b) sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968, the Administrator was conferred with the power to regulate by licences, permits or otherwise, the  manufacture,  distribution,  transport, acquisition,  possession,  transfer,  disposal,  use  or  consumption of In this premise, this Court observed thus:
  • 20. It is manifest upon a review  of  all these provisions that the power conferred upon the  Administrator under Section 5(2)(b) is legislative in character and extremely wide. A parallel power of subordinate legislation is conferred to the Central Government  under  Section  114(1)  and (2) of the Act. But Section 114(3) however makes it incumbent upon the Central Government to place the Rules before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period  of thirty days  which  may  be  comprised in one session or in two successive sessions. It is clear that the substantive provisions of the Act namely Sections 8, 11, 21, 31(3), 34(3) confer powers on the Administrator similar to those contemplated by Section 5(2)(b)  of the Act. In these circumstances we are of opinion that the power of regulation granted to the Administrator under Section 5(2)(b) of the Act suffers from excessive delegation of  legislative power and must be held to be constitutionally invalid.

 

  1. This Court in the case of Harakchand Ratanchand Banthia and others (supra), therefore, was considering the delegation of power to the Administrator under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968. The Court found that a parallel power of subordinate legislation was conferred to the Central Government under Section 114(1) and (2)  of  the  said  Act.  However,  under  sub-section  (3)  of  Section 114 of the said Act it is incumbent upon the Central Government to place the Rules before each House of Parliament. This Court further held that the substantive provisions of the Act namely Sections 8, 11, 21, 31(3) and 34(3) of the said Act also confer powers on the Administrator which was similar to the one contemplated by Section 5(2)(b) of the said Act. In these circumstances, the  Court  held  that  the power of regulation granted to the Administrator under Section 5(2)(b) of the said Act suffers from excessive delegation and as such unconstitutional.
  1. It could thus be seen that clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 conferred a  power  on the Administrator which was  legislative  in  nature,  to  regulate the transactions with regard to use and consumption of gold
  2. It is to be noted that clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 also empowered the Administrator  to  regulate, after consultation with   the   RBI, the price at which any gold may be bought or sold. It was also argued before the Court that the said provision is also invalid amounting to excessive delegation inasmuch as the power conferred was unguided. This Court specifically rejected the said contention. It will be apposite to refer to the following observations of this Court:
  • “..…As the power to fix the  price  may also be exercised not only in respect of primary gold but also in respect of articles and ornaments the business of the petitioners and similarly other persons will be adversely affected. But the section provides the safeguard that the regulation of the price should be made by the Administrator after consultation with the Reserve Bank of India. It was argued that the phrase “so far as it appears to him to be necessary or expedient for carrying out the provisions of this Act” was a subjective formula and action of the Administrator in making the orders under Section 5 (2)(a) may be arbitrary and unreasonable. But in  our  opinion the formula is not subjective and does not constitute the Administrator the sole judge as to what is in fact necessary or expedient for the purposes of the Act. On the contrary we hold that in the context of the scheme and object of the legislation as a whole the expression cannot be construed in a subjective sense and the opinion of the Administrator as to the necessity or expediency of making the order must be reached objectively after having regard to the relevant considerations and must be reasonably tenable in a court of law. It must be assumed that the Administrator will generally address himself to the circumstances of the situation   before him and not try  to  promote  purposes alien to the object of the Act….”

 

  1. It is thus clear that though the Court found the power under Section 5(2)(b) of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 suffered from excessive delegation and, therefore, constitutionally invalid; it, however, categorically rejected the contention insofar as Section 5(2)(a) of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 is concerned, inasmuch as it provided a safeguard that the regulation of the price should be made by the Administrator after consultation with the RBI.
  2. This Court rejected the argument that the phrase “so  far as it appears to him to be necessary or expedient for carrying out the provisions of this Act” was a subjective formula and as such, the action of the Administrator under Section 5(2)(a) was arbitrary and Rejecting the said contention, the Court held that in the context of the scheme and object of the legislation as a whole, the expression cannot be construed in a subjective sense and the opinion of the Administrator as to the necessity or expediency of making the order must be reached objectively after having regard to the relevant considerations and must be reasonably tenable in a court of law.
  1. It could thus be seen that though  the  Court  found  the power under Section 5(2)(b) of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 to be invalid on the  ground  of  excessive  delegation,  yet  it  found the power under Section 5(2)(a) of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 to be valid since it provides an inbuilt safeguard that the Administrator has to act after consultation with the RBI.
  2. A Seven-Judge Bench of this Court in the case of Birla Cotton, Spinning and Weaving Mills Delhi (supra) was considering the validity of Section 150 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, which reads thus:
  • “150. Imposition of other taxes.
  • The Corporation may, at a meeting, pass a resolution for the levy of any of the taxes specified in sub-section (2) of Section 113, defining the maximum rate of the tax to be levied, the class  or classes of persons or the description or descriptions of articles and properties to be taxed, the system of assessment to be adopted and the exemptions, if  any,  to be granted.
    • Any resolution passed under sub- section (1) shall be submitted to the Central Government for its sanction, and if sanctioned by that Government, shall come into force on and from  such date as may be specified in the order of sanction.
  • After a resolution has come into force under sub-section (2), the Corporation may, subject to the maximum rate, pass a second resolution determining the actual rates at which the tax shall be leviable; and the tax shall come  into force on the first day of the quarter of the year next following the date on which such second resolution is passed.
  • After a tax has been levied in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section, the provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 109, shall apply in relation to such tax as they apply in relation to any tax imposed under sub- section (1) of Section 113.”
  1. It was sought to be argued that Section 150(1) delegates completely unguided power to the Corporation in the matter of optional taxes and suffers from the vice of excessive delegation and, therefore, is unconstitutional.
  2. This Court after considering various earlier cases including Hamdard Dawakhana (Wakf) Lal Kuan, Delhi and another (supra) observed thus:
  • “A review of these authorities therefore leads to the conclusion that so far as this Court is concerned the principle is well established that essential legislative function consists  of the determination of the legislative policy and its formulation as a binding rule of conduct and cannot be delegated by the legislature. Nor is there any unlimited right of delegation inherent in the legislative power itself. This is not warranted by the provisions of the Constitution. The legislature  must  retain in its own hands the essential legislative functions and what can be delegated is the task of subordinate legislation necessary for implementing the purposes and objects of the Act. Where the legislative policy is enunciated with sufficient clearness or a standard is laid down, the courts should not interfere. What guidance should be given and to what extent and whether guidance has been given in a particular case at all depends on a consideration of the provisions of the particular Act with which the Court has to deal including its preamble. Further it appears to us that the nature of the body to which delegation is made is also a factor to be taken into consideration in determining whether there is sufficient guidance in the matter of delegation.

 

  • What form the guidance should take is again a matter which cannot be stated in general terms. It will depend upon the circumstances of each statute under consideration; in some cases guidance in  broad general terms may be enough; in other cases more detailed guidance may be necessary.”

 

  1. N. Wanchoo, CJ, speaking for himself and J.M. Shelat,J.held that where the legislative policy is enunciated with sufficient clarity or a standard is laid down, the courts should not interfere. What guidance should be given and to what extent and whether guidance has been given in a  particular case at all depends on a consideration of the provisions of the particular Act with which the Court has to deal, including its preamble. They further held that the nature of the body to which delegation is made is also a factor to be taken into consideration in determining whether there is sufficient guidance in the matter of delegation. The Court further held that what form the guidance should take is again a  matter which cannot be stated in general terms. It will depend upon the circumstances of each statute under consideration. It further held that in some cases guidance in  broad  general terms may be enough, in other cases more detailed guidance may be necessary.
  1. The Court further observed thus:

 

  • “The first circumstance which must be taken into account in this connection is that the delegation has been made to an elected body responsible to the people including those who pay taxes. The councillors have to go for election every four years. This means that if they have behaved unreasonably and the inhabitants of the area so consider it they can be thrown out at the ensuing elections. This is in our opinion a great check on the elected councillors acting unreasonably and fixing unreasonable  rates  of  taxation.  This is a democratic method of bringing to book the elected representatives who act unreasonably in such matters….”

 

  1. It was thus found that the delegation was made to an elected body responsible to the people including those who pay It has been observed that if the councillors behave unreasonably and the inhabitants of the area so consider it, they can be thrown out at the ensuing elections.  As such, there is a great check on the elected councillors acting unreasonably and fixing unreasonable rates of taxation. This is a democratic method of bringing to book the elected representatives who act unreasonably in such matters.
  1. The Court further found that another guide or control on the limit of taxation is to be found in the purposes of the Act. After careful consideration of the various provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, the Court held that the power conferred by Section 150 thereof on the Corporation is not unguided and cannot be said to be amounting to excessive delegation.
  2. It will also be apposite to refer to the concurring judgment of M. Sikri, J., wherein he observed thus:
  • “But assuming I am bound by authorities of this Court to rest the validity of Section 113(2)(d) and Section 150 of the Act by ascertaining whether a guide or policy exists in the Act, I find adequate guide or policy in the expression “purposes of the Act” in Section 113. The Act has pointed  out the objectives or the results to be achieved and taxation can be levied only for the purpose of achieving the objectives or the results. This, in my view,  is  sufficient  guidance  especially  to a self-governing body like the Delhi Municipal Corporation. It is not necessary to rely on the safeguards mentioned by  the   learned  Chief  Justice to sustain the delegation.”

 

  1. M. Sikri, J. in his concurring judgment also held that he found adequate guide or policy in the expression “purposes of the Act” in Section 113. He observed that the Act has pointed out the objectives or the results to be achieved and taxation can be levied only for the purpose of achieving the objectives or the results. In the view of His Lordship, this was sufficient guidance especially to a self-governing body like the Delhi Municipal Corporation.
  2. It will also be apposite to refer to the following observations of Hidayatullah, J., in his concurring judgment:
  • “…..The question always is whether the legislative will has been exercised or not. Once it is established that the legislature itself has willed that a particular thing be done and has merely left the execution of it to a chosen instrumentality (provided that it has not parted with its control) there can be no question of excessive delegation. If the delegate acts contrary to the wishes of the legislature the legislature can undo what the delegate has done. Even the courts, as we shall show presently, may be asked to intervene when the delegate exceeds its powers and functions…..”
  • “To insist that the legislature should provide for every matter connected with municipal taxation would make municipalities mere tax collecting departments of the Government and not self-governing bodies which they are intended  to  be.  The  Government  might as well collect the taxes and make them available to the municipalities. That is not a correct reading of the history of Municipal Corporations and other self- governing institutions in our country.”

 

  1. Observing thus, Hidayatullah, J. also rejected the contention that provisions of Section 150 suffer from excessive delegation. His Lordship has observed that once it is established that the legislature itself has willed that a particular thing be done and has merely left the execution of it to a chosen instrumentality, there can be no question of excessive delegation. This is, however, subject to the proviso that the legislature has not parted with its control. It  is observed that if the delegatee acts contrary to the wishes of the legislature the legislature can undo what the delegate has done.
  1. Another Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Gwalior Rayon Silk (Wvg.) Co. Ltd. (supra) was considering the validity of Section 8(2)(b) of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 on the ground that it suffered from the vice of excessive delegation. In the said case, H.R. Khanna, J., speaking for the majority, after surveying the earlier judgments of this Court including that in the case of Birla Cotton, Spinning and Weaving Mills Delhi (supra), observed thus:
  • 13. It may be stated  at  the  outset  that the growth of  the  legislative  powers  of the Executive is a significant development of the twentieth century. The  theory  of laissezfaire has  been  given a go-by and large and comprehensive powers are being assumed by the State with a view to improve social and economic well-being of the people. Most of the modern socio-economic legislations passed by the Legislature lay down the guiding principles and the  legislative  policy. The Legislatures because of limitation imposed upon by the time factor hardly go into matters of detail. Provision is, therefore, made for delegated legislation to obtain flexibility, elasticity, expedition and opportunity for experimentation. The practice of empowering the Executive to make subordinate legislation within a prescribed sphere has evolved out of practical necessity and pragmatic needs of a modern welfare State. At the same time it has to be borne in  mind  that our  Constitution-makers  have entrusted the power of legislation to the representatives of the people, so that the said power may be exercised not only in the name of the people but also by the people speaking through their representatives. The role against excessive delegation of legislative authority flows from and is a necessary postulate of the sovereignty of the people. The rule contemplates that it is not permissible to substitute in the matter of legislative policy the views of individual officers or other authorities, however competent they may be, for that of the  popular  will  as  expressed  by  the representatives of the people.”

 

  1. The Court observed that the growth of the legislative powers of the Executive is a significant development of the twentieth century. The theory of laissez faire has been given a go-by and large and comprehensive powers are being assumed by the State with a view to improve social and economic well- being of the people. It has been held that most of the modern socio-economic legislations passed by the Legislature lay down the guiding principles and the legislative It is not possible for the Legislatures to go into matters of detail. Therefore, a provision has been made for delegated legislation to obtain flexibility, elasticity, expedition and opportunity for experimentation. It has been held that the practice of empowering the Executive to make subordinate legislation within a prescribed sphere has evolved out of practical necessity and pragmatic needs of a modern welfare State. It has been observed that the role against excessive delegation of legislative authority flows from and  is  a  necessary postulate of the sovereignty of the people. It has been held that the rule contemplates that it is not  permissible  to  substitute  in  the matter of legislative policy the views of individual  officers  or other authorities, however competent they may  be,  for  that  of the popular will as expressed by the  representatives  of  the people.
  1. It has further been observed thus:
  • 15. The Constitution, as observed  by this Court in the case of Devi Das Gopal Krishnan v. State of Punjab [AIR 1967 SC 1895 : (1967) 3 SCJ 557 : (1967) 20 STC 430] confers a power and imposes a duty on the Legislature to make laws. The essential legislative function is the determination of the   legislative policy and  its  formulation  as  a  rule of conduct. Obviously it cannot abdicate its functions in favour of another. But in view of the multifarious activities of a welfare State, it cannot presumably work out all the details to suit the varying aspects of a complex situation. It must  necessarily  delegate  the working out of details to the Executive   or   any   other   agency.   But there is danger inherent in such a process of delegation. An over-burdened Legislature or one controlled by a powerful Executive may unduly overstep the limits of delegation. It may not lay down any policy at all; it may declare its policy in  vague and general terms; it may not set down any standard for the guidance of the Executive; it may confer an arbitrary power on the Executive to change or modify the policy laid down by it without reserving for itself any control over subordinate legislation. This self- effacement of legislative power in favour of another agency either in whole or in part is beyond the permissible limits of delegation. It is for a court to hold on a fair, generous and liberal construction of an impugned statute whether the Legislature exceeded such limits.

 

  1. It has been held that  the  essential  legislative  function  is the determination of the legislative policy and its formulation as a rule of The Legislature cannot abdicate its functions in favour of another. However, in view of the  multifarious activities of a welfare State, it cannot presumably work out all the details to suit the varying aspects of a complex situation. It must, therefore, necessarily delegate  the  working out  of  details to the Executive or any other agency. The Court also  cautions about the danger inherent in the process of  delegation. It observed that an  over-burdened  Legislature  or  one  controlled by a powerful Executive may unduly overstep the limits of delegation. It may not lay down any policy at all; it may declare its policy in vague and general terms; it may not set down any standard for the guidance of the Executive; it may confer an arbitrary power on the Executive to change or modify the policy laid down by it without reserving for itself any control over subordinate legislation. It  has  been held  that it is  for  the Court to hold on a fair, generous and liberal construction of an impugned statute to examine whether the Legislature exceeded such limits.
  1. We may gainfully refer to the following observations in the concurring judgment of K. Mathew, J.:
  • 57. Delegation of “law-making” power, it has been said, is the dynamo of modern Government. Delegation by the Legislature is necessary in order that the exertion of legislative power does not become a futility. Today, while theory still affirms   legislative   supremacy, we see power flowing  back increasingly to the Executive. Departure from the traditional rationalization of the status quo arouses distrust. The Legislature comprises a broader cross-section of interests than any one administrative organ; it is less likely to be captured by particular interests. We must not, therefore, lightly  say  that  there  can be a transfer of legislative power under the guise of delegation which would tantamount to abdication.  At the same time, we must be  aware  of the practical reality, and   that   is, that Parliament cannot go into the details of all legislative matters. The doctrine of abdication expresses a fundamental democratic concept but at the same time we should not insist that law-making as such is the exclusive province of the Legislature. The aim of Government is to gain acceptance for objectives demonstrated as desirable and to realise them as fully as possible. The making of law is only a means to achieve a purpose. It is not an end in itself. That end can be attained by the Legislature making the law. But many topics or subjects of legislation are such that they require expertise, technical knowledge and a degree  of adaptability to changing situations which Parliament might not possess and, therefore, this end is better secured by extensive delegation of legislative power. The legislative process would frequently bog down if a Legislature were required to appraise beforehand the myriad situations to which it wishes a particular policy to be applied and to formulate specific rules for each situation. The presence of Henry VIII clause in many of the statutes is a pointer to the necessity of extensive delegation. The hunt by Court for legislative policy or guidance in the crevices of a statute or the nook and cranny of its preamble is not an edifying spectacle. It is not clear what difference does it make in principle by saying that since the delegation is to a representative body, that would be a guarantee that the delegate will not exercise the power unreasonably, for, if ex hypothesi the Legislature must perform the essential legislative function, it is certainly no consolation that the body to which the function has been delegated has a representative character. In other words, if, no guidance is provided or policy laid down, the fact that the delegate has a representative character could make no difference in principle.”

 

  1. Though the learned Judge cautions against abdication under the guise of delegation, he also emphasizes a necessity to be aware about the practical reality, i.e. Parliament cannot go into the details of all legislative matters. The learned Judge observed that the aim of Government is to gain acceptance for objectives demonstrated as desirable and to realise them as fully as The learned Judge observed that there are many topics or subjects of legislation which are such that they may require expertise, technical knowledge and a degree of adaptability to changing situations which Parliament might not possess and, therefore, this end is better secured by extensive delegation of legislative power. It has been held that the legislative process would frequently bog down if a Legislature were required to appraise beforehand the myriad situations to which it wishes a particular policy to be applied and to formulate specific rules for each situation. The Court further emphasized for a guidance for the delegate to exercise the delegated power.
  1. This Court, in the case of The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Trivandrum and another K. Kunjabmu and others (supra), while reversing the judgment of the Kerala High Court, which had held Section 60 of the Madras Co-operative Societies Act, 1932 to be unconstitutional on the ground of vice of excessive delegation, observed thus:

3. ….Executive activity in the field of delegated or subordinate legislation has increased in direct, geometric progression. It has  to  be  and  it  is  as it should be. Parliament and the State Legislatures are not bodies of experts or  specialists. They are skilled in the art of discovering the aspirations, the expectations and the needs, the limits to the patience and the acquiescence and the articulation of the views of the people whom they represent. They function best when they concern themselves with general principles, broad objectives and fundamental issues instead of technical and situational intricacies which are better left to better equipped full time expert executive bodies and specialist public servants. Parliament and the State Legislatures have neither the time nor the expertise to be involved in detail and circumstance. Nor can Parliament and the State Legislatures  visualise and provide for new, strange, unforeseen  and  unpredictable situations  arising  from   the complexity of modern life and the ingenuity of modern man. That is the raison d’etre for delegated legislation. That is what makes delegated legislation inevitable and indispensable. The Indian Parliament and the  State  Legislatures are endowed with plenary power to legislate upon any of the subjects entrusted to them by the Constitution, subject to the limitations imposed by the Constitution itself. The power to legislate carries with it the power to delegate. But excessive delegation may amount to abdication. Delegation unlimited may invite despotism uninhibited. So the theory has been evolved that the legislature cannot delegate its essential legislative function.  Legislate  it  must by laying down policy and  principle and delegate it may to  fill  in  detail and carry out policy. The legislature may guide the delegate by speaking through the express provision empowering delegation or the other provisions of the statute, the preamble, the scheme or even the very subject-matter of the statute. If guidance there is, wherever it may be found, the delegation is valid. A good deal of latitude has been held to be permissible in the case of taxing statutes and on the same principle a generous degree of latitude must be permissible in the case of welfare legislation, particularly those statutes which are designed to further the Directive Principles of State Policy.”

 

  1. This Court has observed that the executive activity in the field of delegated or subordinate legislation has increased in direct, geometric The Court observed that Parliament and the State Legislatures are not bodies of experts or specialists. It is observed that the legislative bodies function best when they concern themselves with general principles, broad objectives and fundamental issues instead of technical and situational intricacies which are better left to better equipped full time expert executive bodies and specialist public servants. It has been held that Parliament and the State Legislatures cannot visualize and provide for new, strange, unforeseen and unpredictable situations arising from the complexity of modern life and the ingenuity of modern man. It has been further reiterated that guidance could be found from various factors and once it is found, the delegation is valid. It has been held that a good deal of latitude has to be held to be permissible in the case of taxing statutes and welfare legislations.
  1. This Court in the case of Ramesh Birch and others (supra) again, after referring to the earlier judgments and after considering the views expressed by various learned Judges on the aspect of delegated legislation, observed thus:
  • 23. But, these niceties apart, we think that Section 87 is quite valid even on the “policy and guideline” theory if one has proper regard to the context of the Act and the object and purpose sought to be achieved by Section 87 of the Act. The judicial decisions referred to above make it clear that it is not necessary that the legislature should “dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s” of its policy. It is sufficient if it gives the broadest indication of a general policy of the legislature ”
  1. Recently, the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Rojer Mathew (supra) considered the question, as to whether Section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017, which does not prescribe qualifications, appointment, term and conditions of service, salary and allowances, suffers from the vice of excessive delegation. Rejecting the contention, this Court observed thus:

145. Cautioning against the potential misuse of Section 184 by the executive, it was vehemently argued by the learned counsel for the petitioner(s) that any desecration by the executive of such powers threatens and poses a risk to the independence of the tribunals. A mere possibility or eventuality of abuse of delegated powers in the absence of any evidence supporting such claim, cannot be a ground for striking down the provisions of the Finance Act, 2017. It is always open to a constitutional court on challenge made to the delegated legislation framed by the executive to examine whether it conforms to the parent legislation and other laws, and apply the “policy and guideline” test and if found contrary, can be struck down without affecting the constitutionality of the rule-making power conferred under Section 186 of the Finance Act, 2017.”

  1. It can thus be seen that this Court has held that a mere possibility or eventuality of abuse of delegated powers in the absence of any evidence supporting such claim, cannot be a ground for striking down such a provision. It has been held that if a challenge is made to the delegated legislation framed by the executive, the same can be examined by the constitutional court. It has been held that applying the “policy and guideline” test, if it is found that the delegated legislation does not satisfy the said test, the legislation  can  be  struck down without affecting the constitutionality of the rule-making power conferred under Section 186 of the Finance Act,
  • Status of the RBI

 

  1. Having adverted to the various judgments on the issue of delegated legislation, we find it necessary to refer to certain judgments of this Court outlining the status of the RBI.
  2. The Constitution Bench of this Court in  the  case  of Joseph Kuruvilla Velukunnel (supra) was considering a challenge to Section 38(1) and (3)(b)(iii) of the Banking Companies Act, 1949 being violative of Articles 14, 19 and 301 of the Constitution of India, and was, therefore, ultra vires the Constitution of Though this Court held that Section 38 is an unreasonable restriction on the right of the Palai Bank to carry on its business and, therefore, unconstitutional, it will be relevant to refer to paragraph 46 of the said judgment, which is as follows:
  • 46. In the present case, in view of the history of the establishment of the Reserve Bank as a central bank for India, its position  as  a  Bankers’  Bank, its control over banking companies and banking in India, its position as the issuing bank, its power to license banking companies and cancel their licences and the numerous other powers, it is unanswerable that between the court and the Reserve Bank, the momentous decision to wind up a tottering or unsafe banking company in the interests of the depositors, may reasonably be left to the Reserve Bank. No doubt, the court can also, given the time, perform this task. But the decision has to be taken without delay, and the Reserve Bank already knows intimately the affairs of banking companies and has had access to their books and accounts. If the court were called upon to take immediate action, it would almost always be guided by the opinion of the Reserve Bank. It would be impossible for the court to reach a conclusion unguided by the Reserve Bank if immediate action was demanded. But the law which gives the same position to the opinion of the Reserve Bank is challenged as unreasonable. In our opinion, such a challenge has no force.….

 

  1. The Court has referred to the pivotal role that the RBI plays as a Central Bank, as a bankers’ bank and numerous other powers that it exercises. The Court held that the law which gives an important position to the opinion of the Reserve Bank was challenged unreasonably and such challenge had no force.
  1. It may also be relevant to refer to the following observations of this Court in the case of Peerless General Finance and Investment Limited and another (supra):
  • 30. Before examining the scope and effect of the impugned paragraphs (6) and (12) of the directions of 1987, it is also important to note that Reserve Bank of India which is bankers’ bank is a creature of statute. It has large contingent  of  expert  advice  relating to matters affecting the  economy  of the entire country and nobody can doubt the bona fides of the Reserve Bank in issuing the impugned directions of 1987. The Reserve Bank plays an important role in the economy and financial affairs of India and one of its important functions is to regulate the banking system in  the  country.  It  is  the  duty of the Reserve Bank to safeguard the economy and financial stability   of the country….

  

  1. It can thus be seen that this Court has noted  that the RBI, which is a bankers’ bank, is a creature of statute. It has large contingent of expert advice relating to matters affecting the economy of the entire It has been held that the RBI plays an important role in the economy  and  financial affairs of India and one of its important functions is to regulate the banking system in the country. It has been held that it is the duty of the RBI to safeguard the economy and financial stability of the country.
  2. It will also further be relevant to refer to the following observations of this Court in the case of Peerless General Finance and Investment Limited and another (supra):

 

  • “The function of the Court is not to advise in matters relating to financial and economic policies for which bodies like Reserve Bank are fully competent. The Court can only strike down some or entire directions issued by the  Reserve  Bank  in  case the Court is satisfied that the directions were wholly unreasonable or violative of any provisions of the Constitution or any statute.  It  would be hazardous and risky for the courts to tread an unknown path and should leave such task to the expert bodies. This Court has repeatedly said that matters of economic policy ought to be left to the government.”

 

  1. The Court has held that it is not permissible for a Court to advise in matters relating to financial and economic policies for which bodies like Reserve Bank are fully competent.  It has been held that it  would be risky and  hazardous for the courts to tread an unknown path and should leave such task to the expert bodies.
  2. Recently a three-Judge Bench of this Court, speaking through one of us (V. Ramasubramanian, J.), in the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra) observed thus:
  • 141. But as pointed out elsewhere, RBI is the sole repository of power for the management of the currency, under Section 3 of the RBI Act. RBI is also vested with the sole right to issue bank notes under Section 22(1) and to issue currency notes supplied to it by the Government of India and has an important role to play in evolving the monetary policy of the country, by participation in the Monetary Policy Committee which is empowered to determine the policy rate required to achieve the inflation target,  in  terms of the consumer price index. Therefore, anything that may pose a threat to  or have an impact on the financial system of the country, can be regulated or prohibited by RBI, despite the said activity not forming part of the credit system or payment system. The expression “management of the currency” appearing in Section 3(1) need not necessarily be confined to the management of what is recognised in law to be currency but would also include what is capable of faking or playing the role of a currency.”

 

  1. It can thus be seen that this Court has held that the RBI is the sole repository of power for the management of currency. It is also vested with the sole right to issue bank notes and to issue currency notes supplied to it by the Government of It has been held that the RBI has an important role to play in evolving the monetary policy of the country.

Application of the aforesaid principles to the present case

 

  1. It is thus clear that this  Court has  consistently recognised the role assigned to the RBI in management and issuance of currency notes, so also in evolving monetary policy of the We have referred to the  aforesaid  judgments  with regard to the primary status of RBI in dealing with the management and regulation of currency and in evolving the monetary policy of the country. Insofar as the  decision  to  be taken by the Central Government under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is concerned, it is to be taken on the recommendation of the Central Board. We, therefore, find that there is an inbuilt safeguard  in  sub-section  (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act inasmuch as the Central Government is required to take a decision on the recommendation of the RBI.
  1. As already discussed hereinabove, the RBI has large contingent of expert advice available to it. It has a pivotal role in issuance and management of and  all other  matters relating to currency and also in evolving monetary policy of the country. We may gainfully refer to the Constitution Bench Judgment of this Court in the case of Harakchand  Ratanchand  Banthia and others (supra) wherein, though the Constitution Bench found clause (b) sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968 to be unconstitutional on the ground of vice of excessive delegation, it upheld the provisions of clause (a) sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968, finding that there was an inbuilt safeguard inasmuch as the Administrator was required to take a decision after consultation with the RBI.
  2. For considering the question as to whether the RBI Act provides guidance to the delegatee or not, the entire scheme, object and the purpose of the Act has to be taken into The guidance could be sought from the express provision empowering delegation or the other provisions of the statute, the preamble, the scheme or even the very subject- matter of the statute. If the guidance could be found  in whatever part of the Act, the delegation has to be held to be valid. A great amount of latitude has to be given in  such matters. It has been consistently held that Parliament and the State Legislatures are not bodies of expert or specialists. They are skilled in the art of discovering the aspirations, the expectations and the needs of the people whom they represent. It has been held that they function best when they concern themselves with general principles, broad objectives and fundamental issues instead of technical and situational intricacies which are better left to better equipped full time expert executive bodies and specialist public servants.
  1. As already discussed herein above, the RBI has been constituted to regulate the issue of bank notes. The RBI is an expert body entrusted with various functions with regard to monetary and economic Perusal of the scheme of the RBI Act would reveal that it has a primary role in the matters pertaining to the management and regulation of currency. We, therefore, find that there is sufficient guidance to the delegatee when it exercises its powers under  sub-section  (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, from the subject matter of the statute,  and  the other provisions of the Act. In any case, as already discussed herein above, Parliament has provided an inbuilt safeguard i.e. recommendation  of  the  RBI.  It  is  equally  settled  that  insofar as the  economic,  monetary  and  fiscal  policies  are  concerned, the same are best left to the experts possessing requisite knowledge. The RBI as well as  the  Central  Government  are bodies having contingent of experts in the field. It will, therefore, not be proper for the Court  to  enter  into  an  area which should be best left to the experts.
  1. We are of the considered view that there is sufficient guidance in the preamble as well as the scheme and the object of the RBI Act. As already discussed herein above, there cannot be a straitjacket formula, and the question whether excessive delegation has been conferred or not has to be decided on the basis of the scheme, the object and the purpose of the statute under consideration.
  1. One another aspect that needs to be taken into consideration is the nature of the body to which the delegation is to be In the present case, the delegation is made to the Central Government and not to any ordinary body.
  2. In the case of  Birla  Cotton,  Spinning  and  Weaving Mills Delhi (supra), the seven-Judge Bench of this Court held that the delegation was made to an elected body, responsible to the people including those who pay taxes. It observed that the councillors have to go for election every four years. It was also observed that if the councillors behave unreasonably, and the inhabitants of the area so consider it, they can be thrown out at the ensuing elections. This Court found that this was a great check on the elected councillors acting unreasonably and fixing unreasonable rates of It has been held that this was a democratic method of bringing to book the elected representatives who act unreasonably in such matters.
  1. In the present case also, the delegation is to the Central Government, i.e. the highest executive body of the country. We have a Parliamentary system in which the Government is responsible to the In  case  the  Executive  does  not act reasonably while exercising its power of delegated legislation, it is responsible to Parliament who are elected representatives of the citizens for whom there exists a democratic method of bringing to book the elected representatives who act unreasonably in such matters.
  2. Taking into consideration all these factors, we are of the considered view that sub-section (2) of  Section  26  of  the  RBI Act does not suffer from the vice of excessive

 

  • ISSUE NO. (iii) : AS TO WHETHER THE IMPUGNED NOTIFICATION DATED 8TH NOVEMBER 2016 IS LIABLE TO BE STRUCK DOWN ON THE GROUND THAT THE DECISION- MAKING PROCESS IS FLAWED IN LAW?
  1. It is sought to be urged on behalf of the petitioners that the decision-making process both at the stage of making recommendations by the Central Board and at the stage of taking decision by the Central Government is flawed inasmuch as the same had been done without considering the relevant factors and eschewing the irrelevant ones. It is also sought to be urged that, as per the scheme of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, it is incumbent that the procedure should emanate from the Central Board and not from the Central According to the petitioners, in the present case, the procedure has emanated from the Central Government vide its letter dated 7th November 2016 advising the Board to convene a meeting and make a recommendation, which was hurriedly convened on the next day, i.e., 8th November 2016, in which the Board decided to recommend demonetization and, within hours, the decision was announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
  1. It is submitted that, taking into consideration the hasty manner in which the recommendation was sought by the Central Government, and was then made by the  Central  Board and the  decision  was  taken  thereupon  by  the  Cabinet,  there was no scope for the Central Board or the Cabinet to take into consideration the relevant factors and eschew the irrelevant It  is,  therefore,  submitted  that  the  decision  was  taken in a patently arbitrary manner and as such, the impugned Notification is liable to be set aside on the ground of patent arbitrariness.   It is also the contention of the petitioners that, in the meeting of the Central Board, there was no quorum  as required in the 1949 Regulations.
  2. On the contrary, it is the  submission  of  the  respondents that there are twin  requirements  in  sub-section  (2)  of  Section 26 of the RBI Act, , (i) recommendation of the Central Board; and (ii) the decision of the Central Government. It is submitted that both  these  requirements  are  satisfied  in  the  present  case. It is submitted that, in an action like the present one, confidentiality and speed are of utmost importance.

Scope of Judicial Review

 

  1. The law with regard to scope of judicial review has been very well crystalized in the case of Tata Cellular (supra).   In the said case, it has been held by this Court that the duty of the court is to confine itself to the question of Its concern should be whether a decision-making authority exceeded its powers, committed an error of law, committed a breach of the rules of natural justice, reached a decision which no reasonable tribunal would have reached or abused its powers. The Court held that it is not for the court to determine whether a particular policy or particular decision taken in the fulfillment of that policy is fair. It is only concerned with the manner in which those decisions have been taken.
  1. After referring to various pronouncements on the scope of judicial review, the Court has summed-up thus:

94. The principles deducible from the above are:

  • The modern trend points to judicial restraint in administrative action
  • The court does not sit as a court of appeal but merely reviews the manner in which the decision was made
  • The court does not have the expertise to correct the administrative If a review of the administrative decision is permitted it will be substituting its own decision, without the necessary expertise which itself may be fallible.
  • The terms of the invitation to tender cannot be open to judicial scrutiny because the invitation to tender is in the realm of contract. Normally speaking, the decision to accept the tender or award the contract is reached by process of negotiations through  several More often than not, such decisions are  made qualitatively by experts.
  • The Government must have freedom of In other words, a fair play in the joints is a necessary concomitant for an administrative body functioning in an administrative sphere or quasi-administrative sphere. However, the decision must not only be tested by the application of Wednesbury principle of reasonableness (including its other facts pointed out above) but must be free from arbitrariness not affected by bias or  actuated by mala fides.
  • Quashing decisions may impose heavy administrative burden on the administration and lead to increased and unbudgeted expenditure.
  • Based on these principles we will examine the facts of this case since they commend to us as the correct principles.”
  1. Though various authorities are cited at the Bar with regard to scope of judicial review, we do not find it necessary to refer to various We may gainfully refer to the judgment of this Court in the case of Rashmi Metaliks Limited and Another v. Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority and Others62, wherein this  Court  has  deprecated the practice of citing several decisions when the law on  the issue is still covered by what has been held in the case of Tata Cellular (supra).
  1. Our enquiry, therefore, will have to be restricted to examining the decision-making process on the limited grounds as have been laid down in the case of Tata Cellular (supra). Scope of Judicial Interference in matters pertaining to economic policy

 

    1. Since the issue involved is also related to monetary and economic policy of the country, we would also be guided by certain other pronouncements of this Court.
  1. We may gainfully refer to the following observations of the Seven-Judge Bench in the case of M/s. Prag Ice  &  Oil  Mills and Another Union of India63:

 

  • 24. We have listened to long arguments directed at showing us that producers and sellers of oil in various parts of the country will suffer so that they would give up producing or dealing in mustard oil. It was urged that this would, quite naturally, have its repercussions on consumers for whom mustard oil will become even more scarce than ever ultimately. We do not think that  it  is the function of this Court or of any Court to sit in judgment over such matters of economic policy as must necessarily be  left to the Government of the  day  to  decide.  Many  of  them, as a measure of price fixation must necessarily be, are matters of prediction of ultimate results on which even experts can seriously err and doubtlessly differ. Courts can certainly not be expected to decide them without even the aid of experts.

 

  1. In the case of K. Garg v. Union of India and Others64, another Constitution Bench of this Court observed thus:
  • 8. Another rule of equal importance  is that laws relating to economic activities should be viewed with greater latitude than laws touching civil rights such as freedom of speech, religion  etc.  It  has been said by no less a person than Holmes, J., that the legislature should be allowed some play in the joints, because it has to deal with complex problems which do not admit of solution through any doctrinaire or strait-jacket formula and this is particularly  true  in  case   of legislation dealing with economic matters, where, having regard to the nature of the problems required to be dealt with, greater play in the joints has to be allowed to the  legislature. The court should feel more inclined to give judicial deference to legislative judgment in the field of economic regulation than in other areas where fundamental human rights are involved.

……….”

 

  1. Again, the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Shri Sitaram Sugar Company Limited and Another Union of India and Others65, observed thus:

 

  • “57. Judicial review is not concerned with matters of economic policy. The court does not substitute  its judgment for that of the  legislature or its agents as to matters within the province of either. The court does not supplant the “feel of the  expert”  by its own views. When the legislature acts within the sphere of its authority and delegates power to an agent, it may empower the agent to  make  findings of fact which are conclusive provided such findings satisfy the test of reasonableness. In all such cases, judicial inquiry is confined to the question whether the findings of fact are reasonably based on evidence and whether such findings are consistent with the laws of the land. As stated by Jagannatha Shetty, J. in Gupta Sugar Works [1987 Supp SCC 476, 481] : (SCC 479, para 4)
  • “… the court does not act like a chartered accountant nor acts like an income tax officer. The court is not concerned with any individual case or any particular problem. The court  only examines whether the price determined was with due regard to considerations provided by the statute. And whether extraneous matters have been excluded from determination.””

 

  1. Recently, this Court in the case of Small Scale Industrial Manufactures Association (Registered) Union of India and  Others66 had  an occasion to  consider  the issue with regard to scope of judicial review of economic and fiscal regulatory measures. This Court observed thus:
  • 69. What is best in the national economy and in what manner and to what  extent        the financial reliefs/packages be formulated, offered and implemented is ultimately to be decided by the Government and RBI on the aid and advice of the experts. The same is a matter for decision exclusively within the province of the Central Government. Such matters do not ordinarily attract the power of judicial review.Merely because some class/sector may not be agreeable and/or   satisfied with such packages/policy decisions, the courts, in exercise of the power of judicial review, do not ordinarily interfere with the policy decisions, unless such policy could be faulted on the ground of mala fides, arbitrariness, unfairness, etc.
  1. There are matters regarding which the Judges and the lawyers of the courts can hardly be expected to have much knowledge by reasons of their training and Economic and fiscal regulatory measures are a field where Judges should encroach upon very warily as Judges are not experts in these matters.
  1. The correctness of the reasons which prompted the Government in decision taking one course of action instead of another is not a matter of concern in judicial review and the court is not the appropriate forum for such The policy decision must be left to the Government as it alone can adopt which policy should be adopted after considering of the points from different angles. In assessing the propriety of the decision of the Government the court cannot interfere even if a second view is possible from that of the Government.
  2. Legality of the policy, and not the wisdom or soundness of the policy,  is the subject of judicial review. The scope of judicial review of the governmental policy is now well defined. The courts do not and cannot act as an appellate authority examining the correctness, stability and appropriateness of a policy, nor are the courts advisers to the executives on matters of policy which the executives are entitled to formulate.
  1. This Court observed that the Court would not interfere with any opinion formed by the government if it is based on the relevant facts and circumstances or based on expert’s advice. The Court would be entitled to interfere only when it is found that the action of the executive is arbitrary and violative of any constitutional, statutory or other provisions of law. It has been held that when the government forms its policy, it is based on a number of circumstances and it is also based on expert’s opinion, which must not be interfered with, except on the ground of palpable arbitrariness. It is more than settled that the Court gives a large leeway to the executive and the legislature in matters of economic policy. A reference in this respect could be made to  the judgments of this Court in the cases of T.R. Exports (Madras) Pvt. Ltd. v.  Union  of India and others67 and Bajaj Hindustan Limited v. Sir Shadi Lal Enterprises Limited and another (supra).

 

  1. It is not the function of this Court or of any other Court to sit in judgment over such matters of economic policy and they must necessarily be left to the Government of the day to decide since in such matters with regard to the prediction of ultimate results, even the experts can seriously err and doubtlessly The Courts can certainly not be expected to decide them without even the aid of experts. Application of the aforesaid principles to the present case

 

  1. Therefore, while exercising the power of judicial review in a matter like the present one, the scope of interference would be still Applying the principles laid down in the aforesaid judgments, we will have to examine as to whether the decision-making process in the present case is flawed or not. Our inquiry has to be limited only to find out as to whether there is an illegality in the decision-making process, i.e. whether the decision makers have understood the law correctly which regulates the decision-making power and as to whether the decision-making process is vitiated by irrationality, i.e. the Wednesbury principles. The test that would have to be applied is that the decision is such that no authority properly conducting itself on the relevant law and acting reasonably could have reached thereat, and as to whether there has been a procedural impropriety.
  1. The learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners vehemently submitted that unless the letter dated 7th November 2016, Minutes of the Meeting of the Central Board dated 8th November 2016 and the Note for the Cabinet Meeting dated 8th November 2016 are perused by this Court, it will not be possible for  the Court to satisfy itself as to whether the Central Board while deciding to recommend demonetization and the Central Government while deciding to take the decision in favour of demonetization have taken into consideration the relevant factors and eschewed the irrelevant While closing the matters for judgment/order, we had directed the Union of India and the RBI to produce the relevant records for our perusal. Accordingly, the records were produced by the respondents.
  1. We have scrutinized the entire record, e., the communication dated 7th November 2016 addressed by the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance to the Governor, RBI, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Central Board dated 8th November 2016, the recommendations by the RBI dated 8th November 2016 and the Note for the Cabinet Meeting held on 8th November 2016.
    1. A perusal of the communication dated 7th November 2016 addressed by the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India to the Governor, RBI would reveal that the Government of India has shared its concern with regard to infusion of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and generation of black money. It has been pointed out that FICN infusion is concentrated in the two highest denominations of Indian banknotes of 500/- and Rs.1000/-.It has also been pointed out that the impact on the economy in the high denomination notes is very adverse. The said communication mentions the White Paper on Black Money by the Department of Revenue in the year 2012, wherein it is mentioned that cash has always been a facilitator of black money since transactions made in cash do not leave any audit trail.   The White Paper also refers to the growth in the size of the shadow economy of the country, and that a parallel shadow economy corrodes and eats into the vitals of the country’s economy.
  1. The said communication thereafter refers to the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by two former Judges of this Court, which has made strong observations against the cash economy. It further refers to the steps taken by the Government to reduce black money in the After pointing out the aforesaid factors, the communication advises the Central Board to take note of the above and consider making necessary recommendations. It also requests the RBI to prepare a draft scheme to implement the above in a non-disruptive manner with as little inconvenience to the public and business entities as possible.
  1. We have also perused the Minutes of the Five Hundred and Sixty First (561st) Meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI held on 8th November 2016. The said Minutes would show that the communication dated 7th November 2016 was placed before the Central Board by the Deputy Governor. There was an elaborate discussion on the said proposal. The Central Board has considered the pros and cons of the measure. The Central Board has also considered that the proposed step presents a big opportunity to take the process of financial inclusion further by incentivizing the use of electronic modes of payment, so that people see the benefits of bank accounts and electronic means of payment over use of The Central Board has taken into consideration that the matter had been under discussion between the Central Government and the RBI

for the last six months during which most of the issues raised in the meeting were considered.

  1. After detailed deliberations, the Central Board resolved to recommend withdrawal of legal tender of bank notes in the denomination of Rs.500/- and 1000/- of existing and any older series in circulation. Thereafter, the Deputy Governor, vide communication dated 8th November 2016, informed the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India about the above recommendations of the Central Board. Not only that, but a draft scheme for implementation of the same was also enclosed along with the said recommendations.
  2. We have also perused the Note for the Cabinet for consideration of the Cabinet Meeting dated 8th November 2016. The Note for the Cabinet contains details about the relevant data available as per Economic Survey for 2014-15 and 2015-16  and  the  report  of  the  Intelligence  Bureau  with  regard  to infusion of FICN and generation of black money. It  also contains the details with regard to the 2012 White Paper on Black Money. It  contains the details with regard to the  report of the SIT headed by two former Judges of this Court and their recommendations. It considers the recommendation of the RBI.
  1. Upon perusal of the material on record, we are of the considered view that the Central Board had taken into consideration the relevant factors while recommending withdrawal of legal tender of bank notes in the denomination of 500/- and Rs.1000/- of existing and any older series in circulation. Similarly, all the relevant factors were placed for consideration before the Cabinet when it took the decision to demonetize. It is to be noted that a draft scheme to implement the proposal for demonetization in a non-disruptive manner with as little inconvenience to the public and business entities as possible was also prepared by the RBI along with the recommendation for demonetization. The same was also taken into consideration  by  the  Cabinet.    As  such,  we  are  of  the considered view that the contention that the decision-making process suffers from non-consideration of relevant factors and eschewing of the irrelevant factors, is without substance.
  1. Insofar as the contention of the petitioners that there was no quorum as required under the 1949 Regulations is concerned, in both the affidavits of the RBI dated 15th November 2022 and 19th December 2018, a categorical statement has been made that the requisite procedure as laid down under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act read with Regulations 8 and 10 of the 1949 Regulations was duly
  2. A perusal of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Central Board would also show that eight Directors were present in the Meeting whereas the quorum for the meeting is four Directors of whom not less than three shall be Directors  nominated under Section 8(1)(b) or Section 8(1)(c) or Section 12 (4) of the RBI Act. In the affidavit filed before this Court on 6th December 2022, it is specifically averred as under:
  • “6. That the 561st meeting of the Central Board of the answering respondent was held on 08.11.2016 at New Delhi and business was transacted therein   with the requisite quorum. During the said meeting, apart from the  then  Governor and two Deputy Governors, one director nominated under Section 8(1)(b) of RBI Act, two directors nominated under section 8(1)(c) of RBI Act and two directors nominated under section 8(1)(d) of RBI  Act  were  present. Thus, the requisite quorum of four directors of whom not less than three directors nominated under Section 8(1)(b) or 8(1)(c) were present for the meeting.”
  1. In that view of the matter, the contention that the Meeting of the Central Board dated 8th November 2016 is not validly held for want of quorum is concerned, is without

 

  • Recommendation of the RBI

 

  1. The next submission in this regard is that the procedure prescribed under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is breached inasmuch as the proposal has emanated  from  the Central Government whereas the requirement under sub- section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act  is  that  the  proposal should  emanate  from  the  Central  Board.  The  contention  is that, since the Central Government is required to act on the recommendation of the Central Board, the proposal should emanate from the Central Board.
  1. As already discussed hereinabove, the  RBI  has  a  pivotal role insofar as monetary and economic policies  are  concerned and, particularly, in all the  matters  pertaining  to  management and regulation  of  Moreover,  perusal  of  Sections  22, 24 and 26 of the RBI Act would reveal that in various matters pertaining to currency, the  course  of  action  is  to  be  taken  by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Central Board. It cannot be disputed that the final say with regard to economic and monetary policies of the country will be with the Central Government.  However,  in  such  matters,  it  has  to  rely on the expert advice of the RBI. In a matter like the present one, it cannot be expected that the RBI and the Central Government will act in two isolated boxes. An element of interaction/consultation in such important matters pertaining to economic and monetary policies cannot be denied to the RBI and the Central Government.
  1. As already discussed hereinabove, the record would reveal that the matter was under active consideration  for  a  period  of six months between the RBI and the  Central  As such, merely because the Central Government has advised the Central Board to consider recommending  demonetization  and that the Central Board, on the advice of the Central Government, has considered  the  proposal  for  demonetization and recommended it  and,  thereafter,  the  Central  Government has taken a decision, in our view,  cannot  be  a  ground  to  hold that the procedure prescribed under  Section  26 of the  RBI Act was breached. The two requirements  of  sub-section  (2)  of Section 26 of the RBI Act are (i) recommendation by the Central Board; and (ii) the decision by the Central Government. As already discussed hereinabove, both the Central Board while making recommendation and the Central Government while taking the decision, have taken into consideration all the relevant factors.
  1. The dictionary meaning of the word “recommend” is “to advise as to  a  course  of action”, or  “to  praise or commend”. In Ramanatha Aiyar’s Law Lexicon, the meaning of the word “recommendation” is “a statement expressing commendation or a message of this nature”. The word “recommendation”, therefore, will have to be construed in the context in which it is used. Reference in this respect would be made to the judgments of this Court in the cases of V.M. Kurian v. State of Kerala and others68 and Manohar s/o Manikrao Anchule v. State of Maharashtra and another69.
  2. The power to be exercised by the  Central  Government under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is for effecting demonetization. The  said  power  has  to  be  exercised on the recommendation of the Central Board. As already discussed hereinabove, the RBI has a pivotal role in the matters of monetary policy and issuance of currency. The scheme mandates that before the Central Government takes a  decision with regard to demonetization, it would be required to consider the recommendation of the Central Board. We find that, in the context in which it is used, the word “recommendation” would mean a consultative process between the Central Board and the Central Government.
  1. In our view, therefore, the enquiry would be limited as to whether there was an effective consultation between the Central Government and the Central Board before the decision was Reference in this respect would be made to the following observations of this Court in the case of State of Gujarat and another v. Justice R.A. Mehta (Retired) and others (supra):
  • 25. In State of  Gujarat v. Gujarat Revenue Tribunal Bar Assn. [(2012) 10 SCC  353  :  (2012)  4  SCC  (Civ)  1229  : (2013)  1  SCC  (Cri)  35  :  (2013)  1  SCC (L&S) 56 : JT (2012) 10 SC 422] (SCC p. 372, para 34), this Court held that the object of consultation is to render its process meaningful so that it may serve its intended purpose. Consultation requires the meeting of minds between the parties that are involved in the consultative process on the basis of material facts and points in order to arrive at a correct or at least a satisfactory solution. If a certain power can be exercised only after consultation such consultation must be conscious, effective, meaningful and purposeful. To ensure this, each party must disclose to the other all relevant facts for due deliberation. The consultee must express his opinion only after complete consideration of the matter on the basis of all the relevant facts and quintessence. Consultation may have different meanings in different situations depending upon the nature and purpose of the   statute.   (See   also Union   of India v. Sankalchand         Himatlal Sheth [(1977) 4 SCC 193 : 1977 SCC (L&S) 435 : AIR 1977 SC 2328] , State of Kerala v. A. Lakshmikutty [(1986) 4 SCC 632 : (1986) 1 ATC 735 : AIR 1987 SC 331] , High Court of    Judicature    of Rajasthan v. P.P.       Singh [(2003)    4    SCC 239 : 2003 SCC (L&S) 424 : AIR 2003 SC

1029]     , Union       of      India v. Kali       Dass Batish [(2006)  1  SCC  779  :  2006  SCC (L&S) 225 : AIR 2006 SC 789] , Andhra Bank v. Andhra Bank Officers [(2008) 7 SCC 203 : (2008) 2 SCC (L&S) 403 : AIR

2008     SC     2936]     and Union      of India v. Madras Bar Assn. [(2010) 11 SCC 1]

  1. In Chandramouleshwar Prasad v. Patna High Court [(1969) 3 SCC 56 : AIR 1970 SC 370] (SCC p. 63, para 7), this Court held that consultation or deliberation can neither be complete nor effective before the parties thereto make their respective points of view known to the other or others and discuss and examine the relative merits of their views. If one party makes a proposal to the other, who has a counter-proposal in mind which is not communicated to the proposer, a direction issued to give effect to the counter-proposal without any further discussion with respect to such counter-proposal with the proposer cannot be said to have been issued after consultation.”
  1. As such, the enquiry would be limited to find out whether both the Central Board and the Central Government had made their respective points of view known to each other and discussed and examined  the  relative  merits  of  their  It will have to be considered whether each of the party had disclosed to the other all relevant facts and factors for due deliberation, or not. The limited enquiry would be whether the recommendation by the Central Board was made after complete consideration of the matter on the basis  of all the relevant facts and material before it, or not.
  2. As already discussed herein above, the record itself reveals that the RBI and the Central Government were in consultation with each other for a period of six months before the impugned notification was issued. The record would also reveal that all the relevant information was shared by both the Central Board as well as the Central Government with each other. As such, it cannot be said that there was no conscious, effective, meaningful and purposeful

Relevancy of attainment of objectives

 

  1. Another submission that is being made is that the objective with which  the impugned  Notification was issued,  e., to combat  fake  currency,  black  money  and  parallel  financing are concerned, the same has utterly failed. It is submitted that immediately after demonetization  was  effected,  currency  notes of new series have  been  seized. It  is  also  submitted  that  the fake currency is also in vogue. New series of notes have been seized from terrorists. Per contra, it is submitted that the long- term benefits  of  demonetization  have  been  enormous,  direct and indirect. The learned Attorney General has placed on record an elaborate list of the same to which we have already referred to in earlier paragraphs.
  2. However, we do not wish to go into the question as to whether the object with which demonetization was effected is served or not or as to whether it has resulted in huge direct and indirect benefits or We do not possess the expertise to go into that question and it is best that it should remain in the domain of the experts.
    1. The question is succinctly answered by the  Supreme Court of United States in the case of Metropolis Theater Company et , Plffs. In Err., v. City of Chicago and Ernest J. Magerstadt. (supra), which reads thus:
  • 2. The attack of complainants (we  so call plaintiffs in error) is upon the classification of the ordinance. It is contended that the purpose of the ordinance  is to  raise revenue, and that its classification has no relation to such purpose, and therefore is arbitrarily discriminatory, and thereby offends the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The character ascribed to the ordinance by the supreme court of the state is not without uncertainty. But we may assume, as complainants assert, that the court considered the ordinance as a revenue measure only. The court said: ‘The ordinance may be sustainable under the taxing power alone, without reference to its reasonableness as a regulatory measure.’ And, regarding it as a revenue measure, complainants attack it as unreasonable in basing its classification upon the price of admission of a particular theater, and not upon the revenue derived therefrom; and to exhibit the discrimination which is asserted to result, a comparison is made  between the seating capacity of complainants’ theaters and the number of their performances within given periods, and the theaters of others in the same respects, and the resulting revenues. But these are accidental circumstances and dependent, as the supreme court of the state said, upon the advantages of the particular theater or choice of its owner, and not determined by the ordinance, It will immediately occur upon the most casual reflection that the distinction the theater itself makes is not artificial, and must have some relation to the success and ultimate profit of its business. In other words, there is natural relation between the price of admission and revenue, some advantage, certainly, that determines the choice. The distinction obtains in every large city of the country. The reason for it must therefore be substantial; and if it be so universal  in the practice of the business, it would seem not unreasonable if it be adopted as the basis of governmental action.  If the action of government have such a basis it cannot be declared to be so palpably arbitrary as to be repugnant to the 14th Amendment. This  is  the test of its validity, as we have so many times said. We need not cite the cases. It is enough to say that we have tried, so far as that Amendment is concerned, to declare in words, and the cases illustrate by examples, the wide range which legislation has in classifying its objects. To be able to find  fault with a law is not to demonstrate its invalidity. It may seem unjust and oppressive, yet be free from judicial interference. The problems of government are practical ones and may justify, if they do not require, rough accommodations,—illogical, it may be, and unscientific. But even such criticism should not be hastily expressed. What is best is not always discernible; the wisdom of any choice may be disputed or condemned. Mere errors of government are not subject to our judicial review. It is only its palpably arbitrary exercises which can be declared void under the 14 Amendment; and such judgment cannot be pronounced of the ordinance in controversy. Quong Wing v. Kirkendall, 223 U. S. 59, 56 L. ed. 350, 32 Sup. Ct.Rep. 192.”

 

  1. It has been held that if the action of the government has a basis with the objectives to be achieved, it cannot be declared as palpably It has been held that, to be able to find fault with a law is not to demonstrate its invalidity. It has been held that the result of the act may seem unjust and oppressive, yet be free from judicial interference. The problems of government are practical ones and may justify, if they do not require, rough accommodations, illogical, it may be, and unscientific. But even such criticism should not be hastily expressed. It has been held that what is best is not always discernible, and the wisdom of any choice may be disputed or condemned. It has been held that mere errors of government are not subject to judicial review. It is only the palpably arbitrary exercises which can be declared void.
  1. We may gainfully refer to the following observations of this Court in the case of K. Garg (supra), wherein this Court observed that it should constantly remind itself of what the Supreme Court of the United States said in the case of Metropolis Theater Company (supra):

 

  • “19. ……The Court would not have the necessary competence  and  expertise to adjudicate upon such an economic issue. The Court cannot possibly assess or evaluate what would be the impact of a particular immunity or exemption and whether it would serve the purpose in view or not. There are so many imponderables that would enter into the determination that it would be wise for the Court not to hazard an opinion where even economists may differ. The Court must while examining the constitutional validity of a legislation of  this  kind, “be resilient, not rigid, forward looking, not static, liberal,   not verbal” and the Court must always bear in mind the constitutional proposition enunciated by the Supreme Court of the United States in Munn v. Illinois [94 US 13], namely, “that courts do not substitute their social and economic beliefs for the judgment of legislative bodies”. The Court must defer to legislative judgment in matters relating to social and economic policies and must not interfere, unless the exercise of legislative judgment appears to be palpably arbitrary……”

 

  1. The Constitution Bench holds that the Court would not have the necessary competence and expertise to adjudicate upon such an economic issue.  The  Court  cannot  possibly assess or evaluate what would be the impact of a particular immunity or exemption and whether it would serve the purpose in view or not. It has been held that it would be wise for the Court not to hazard an opinion where even economists may differ. It has been held that while examining the constitutional validity of such a legislation, the Court must “be resilient, not rigid, forward looking, not static, liberal, not verbal”.
  1. We are, therefore, of the considered view that  the  Court must defer to legislative judgment in matters  relating  to  social and economic policies and must not interfere unless the exercise of executive power  appears  to  be  palpably  The Court does not have necessary competence and expertise to adjudicate  upon  such  economic  issues. It  is  also  not  possible for the Court to assess or evaluate what would be the impact of a particular action and it is best  left  to  the  wisdom  of  the experts. In such matters, it will not be possible for the Court to assess or evaluate what would be the impact of the impugned action of demonetization. The Court does not possess the expertise to do so. As already discussed hereinabove, on one hand, the petitioners urged that there has been an  adverse effect upon the economy and on the other hand, the learned Attorney General had given a long list of direct and indirect advantages of demonetization. In any case, mere errors of judgment by the government seen in retrospect is not subject to judicial review. In such matters, legislative and quasi-legislative authorities are entitled to a free play, and unless the action suffers from patent illegality, manifest or palpable arbitrariness, the Court should be slow in interfering with the same.
  1. Another contention in this regard is that, on account of a hasty decision by the Central Government, citizens had to suffer at large, that many people were required to stand in the queues for hours, that many citizens were deprived of their meals, and that many citizens lost their jobs.
  1. As already discussed hereinabove, the Central Government had advised the Central Board to draft a scheme to implement demonetization in a non-disruptive manner with as little inconvenience to the public and business entities as possible. Accordingly, a draft scheme was also submitted by the Central Board along with its recommendations for demonetization. It is stated in the affidavit that the RBI has subsequently issued relaxations from time to time taking into consideration the difficulties of the people and availability of the new notes. No doubt that on account of demonetization, the citizens were faced with various hardships. However, we may again gainfully refer to the following observations of this Court in the case of R.K. Garg (supra):
  • 8. ……The Court must therefore adjudge the constitutionality of such legislation by the generality of its provisions and not by its crudities or inequities or by the possibilities of abuse of any of its provisions. If any crudities, inequities or possibilities of abuse come to light, the legislature can always step in and enact suitable amendatory legislation. That is the essence of pragmatic approach which must guide and inspire the legislature in dealing with complex economic issues.”

 

  1. Therefore, while adjudging the illegality of the impugned Notification, we would have to examine on the basis as to whether the objectives for which it was enacted has nexus with the decision taken or not. If the impugned Notification had a nexus with the objectives to be achieved, then, merely because some citizens have suffered through hardships would not be a ground to hold the impugned Notification to be bad in law.
  2. In this respect, we may gainfully refer to the following observations of this Court in the case of   Sonia  Bhatia  v. State of U.P. and Others70:
  • 29. Lastly, it was urged by Mr Kacker that this is an extremely hard case where the grandfather of the donee wanted to make a beneficial provision for his granddaughter after having lost his two sons in the prime of their life due to air crash accidents while serving in the Air Force. It is true that  the  District Judge has come to a clear  finding  that the gift in question is bona fide and has been executed in good faith but as the gift does not fulfil the other ingredients of the section, namely, that it is not for adequate consideration, we are afraid, however laudable the object of the donor may have been, the gift has to fail because the genuine attempt of the donor to benefit his granddaughter seems to have been thwarted by the intervention of sub-section (6) of Section 5 of the Act. This is undoubtedly a serious hardship but it cannot be helped. We must remember that the Act is a valuable piece of social legislation with the avowed object of ensuring equitable distribution of the land by taking away land from large tenure-holders and distributing the same among landless tenants or using the same for public utility schemes which is in the larger interest of the community at large. The Act seems to implement one of the most important constitutional directives contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India. If in  this process a few individuals suffer severe hardship that cannot be helped, for individual interests must yield  to  the  larger  interests  of  the community or the country as indeed every noble cause claims its martyr.”

 

  1. Though, the Court found that the Act caused a serious hardship, it held that the Act is a valuable piece of social It held that the Act was enacted to implement one of the most important constitutional directives contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India. It further observed that, if in this process, a few individuals suffer severe hardship, that cannot be helped. It further held that individual interests must yield to the larger interests of the community or the country as indeed every noble cause claims its martyr.
  2. In any case now, the action which was taken by  the Central Government by the impugned Notification, has been validated by the 2016 Ordinance and which has fructified in the 2017 The Central Government is answerable to the Parliament and the Parliament, in turn, represents the will  of the citizens of the country. The Parliament has therefore put its imprimatur on the executive action. This is apart from the fact that we have not found any flaw in the decision-making process as required under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.
  1. The decision-making process is also sought to be attacked on the ground that the decision was taken in a hasty We find that the ‘hasty’ argument would be destructive of the very purpose of demonetization. Such measures undisputedly are required to be taken with utmost confidentiality and speed. If the news of such a measure is leaked out, it is difficult to imagine how disastrous the consequences would be.
  2. It will be interesting to note again from Volume III of the “History of the Reserve Bank  of  India”  that,  on  14th January 1978, one Janakiraman, a senior official in the RBI was asked by some officers of the Government of India to come immediately to Delhi for some urgent work. When he asked for what purpose he was called, he was told that the matters relating to exchange control need to be discussed. He, however, took along with him one M. Subramaniam,  a  senior official of the Exchange Control Department. On reaching Delhi, he was informed that the Government had decided to demonetize the high denomination notes and was required to draft the necessary Ordinance within twenty-four hours. During the said period, no communication was allowed with anyone including the Bank’s central office at Bombay. R. Janakiraman and M. Subramaniam made a request for the 1946 Ordinance on demonetization to get an idea how it was to be drafted, which request was acceded to by the Finance Ministry. The draft Ordinance was completed on schedule. It  was  finalized  and sent for signature of the President of India in the early hours of 16th January 1978 and on the same day, the announcement to that effect was made on All India Radio’s news bulletin at 09.00 a.m.
  1. It can  thus  be  seen  that  confidentiality  and  secrecy  in such sort of measures is of paramount When demonetization was being done in the year 1978, R. Janakiraman, who had drafted the Ordinance, was not permitted to communicate with anyone including the Bank’s central office at Bombay. It would thus show as to what great degree of confidentiality was maintained. In any case, the material placed on record would show that the RBI and the Central Government were in consultation with each other for at least a period of six months preceding the action.
  1. We, therefore, find that the impugned notification dated 8th November 2016 does not suffer from any flaws in the decision- making

 

  • ISSUE NO. (iv): AS TO WHETHER THE IMPUGNED NOTIFICATION DATED 8TH NOVEMBER 2016 IS LIABLE TO BE STRUCK DOWN APPLYING THE TEST OF PROPORTIONALITY?
  1. It is sought to be urged on behalf of the petitioners that before taking such a drastic measure, which caused enormous hardship to a number of citizens, the government ought to have found out as to whether there was an alternate course of action which could have resulted in lesser hardship to the citizens. In this respect, reliance is placed on the judgment of this Court in the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra) and K.S. Puttaswamy (Retired) and another (Aadhaar) (supra).
  1. In the case of Internet and Mobile Association of India (supra), the RBI had issued a directive to the entities regulated by RBI (i) not to deal with or provide services to any individual or business entities dealing with or settling virtual currencies and (ii) to exit the relationship, if they already have one, with such individuals/business entities, dealing with or settling virtual currencies.
  2. The said action came to be challenged by writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The challenge was on several grounds, including the ground of Though the Court did not find favour with the other grounds raised on behalf of the petitioners therein, it held that the concern of the RBI is and ought to be about the  entities regulated by it.   It found that, till date, RBI had not come out with a stand that any of the entities regulated by it, namely, the nationalized banks/scheduled commercial banks/cooperative banks/NBFCs had suffered any loss or adverse effect directly or indirectly, on account of the interface that the virtual currency exchanges had with any of them. The Court held  that there must have been at least some empirical data about the degree of harm suffered by the regulated entities. The Court, therefore, while upholding the power of the RBI to take  pre-emptive action, upon testing the proportionality of the measure, found that in the absence of RBI pointing out at least some semblance of any damage suffered by its regulated entities, the impugned measure was disproportionate.

 

  • Four-pronged test of proportionality

 

  1. The Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Modern Dental College and Research Centre (supra), while considering a balance between the right under Article 19(1)(g) and the reasonable restrictions under clause (6) of Article 19 of the Constitution of India, observed thus:
  • 60. ……Thus, while examining as to whether the impugned provisions of the statute and rules amount to reasonable restrictions and are brought out in the interest of the general public, the exercise that is required to be undertaken is the balancing of fundamental right to carry on occupation on the one hand and the restrictions imposed on the other hand. This is what is known as “doctrine of proportionality”. Jurisprudentially, “proportionality” can be defined as the set of rules determining the necessary and sufficient conditions for limitation of a constitutionally protected right by a law to be constitutionally permissible. According to Aharon Barak (former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Israel), there are   four    sub-components of proportionality which need to be satisfied [ Aharon Barak, Proportionality: Constitutional Rights and  Their Limitation (Cambridge University Press 2012).], a limitation  of a constitutional right will be constitutionally  permissible if:
  • it is designated for a proper purpose ;
  • the measures undertaken to effectuate such a limitation are rationally connected to the fulfilment of that purpose;
  • the measures undertaken are necessary in that there are no alternative measures that may similarly achieve that same purpose with a lesser degree of limitation; and finally
  • there needs to be a proper relation (“proportionality stricto sensu” or “balancing”) between the importance of achieving the proper purpose and the social importance of preventing the limitation on the constitutional right.”
  1. The Constitution Bench held that while examining as to whether the impugned provisions of the statute and rules amount to reasonable restrictions and are brought out in the interest of the general public, the exercise that is required to be undertaken is balancing of the fundamental right to carry on occupation on the one hand and the restrictions imposed on the other hand. The Court refers to  four  tests  of  proportionality which need to be satisfied. The first one is that it should be designated for a proper purpose. The second one is that the measures undertaken to effectuate such a limitation are rationally connected to the fulfilment of that purpose. The third one is that the measures undertaken are necessary in that there are no alternative  measures  that  may  similarly  achieve that same  purpose  with  a  lesser  degree  of  limitation. Finally, the fourth one is that there needs  to  be  a  proper  relation between the importance  of  achieving  the  proper  purpose  and the social importance of preventing the limitation on the constitutional right. The Court held  that  there  has  to  be  a balance between a  constitutional  right  and  public  interest. It held that a constitutional licence to limit those rights is granted where such a limitation will be justified to protect public interest or the rights of others.  It will also be relevant to refer to the following observations of the Constitution Bench:
  • 65. …..At the  same  time, reasonableness of a restriction has to be determined in an objective manner and from the standpoint of the interests of the general public and not  from  the point of view of the persons upon whom the restrictions are imposed or upon abstract considerations (see Mohd. Hanif Quareshi v. State of Bihar [Mohd. Hanif Quareshi v. State of Bihar, AIR 1958 SC 731    :    1959    SCR    629]    ).    In M.R.F. Ltd. v. State of  Kerala [M.R.F. Ltd. v. State of Kerala, (1998) 8 SCC 227 : 1999 SCC (L&S) 1] ,  this  Court  held that in examining the reasonableness  of a statutory provision one has to keep in mind the following factors:
  • The directive principles of State policy.
  • Restrictions must not be arbitrary or of an excessive nature so as to go beyond the requirement of the interest of the general public
  • In order to judge the reasonableness of the restrictions, no abstract or general pattern or a fixed principle can be laid down  so as to be of universal application and the same will vary from case to case as also with regard to changing conditions, values of human life, social philosophy of the Constitution, prevailing conditions and the surrounding circumstances.
  • A just balance has to be struck between the restrictions imposed and the social control envisaged by Article 19(6).
  • Prevailing social values as also social needs which are intended to be satisfied by the restrictions.
  • There must be a direct and proximate nexus or reasonable connection between the restrictions imposed and the object sought to be achieved. If there is a direct nexus between the restrictions, and the object of the Act, then a strong presumption in favour of the constitutionality of the Act will naturally arise ”
  1. It is pertinent to note that in the case of Modern Dental College and Research Centre (supra), the Court was considering the validity of the Act and the Rules which regulated primarily the admission of the students in post- graduate courses in private educational institutions and the provisions      made      thereunder.          Applying the test of proportionality, the Court held that the larger public interest warrants such a measure. It held that, having regard to the malpractices which are noticed in the Common Entrance  Test (CET) conducted by such private institutions themselves, it is, undoubtedly, in the larger interest and welfare of the student community to promote merit and excellence and to curb malpractices. The Court held that the impugned provisions which may amount to “restrictions” on the right of the appellants therein to carry on their “occupation”, are clearly “reasonable” and satisfy the test of proportionality.
  1. The proportionality doctrine is sought to be placed in service on the ground that in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah (supra), the Court held the bank notes to be property and as such, impugned Notification imposed unreasonable restrictions, violative of Article 300-A of the Constitution of India.
  1. Let us test the four-pronged test culled  out  by  Aharon Barak, former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Israel   which have been reproduced in  the  case  of  Modern  Dental  College and Research Centre (supra).
  2. The impugned Notification has been issued with an objective to meet the following three concerns:
  • Fake currency notes of the SBNs have been largely in circulation and it has been found to be difficult to easily identify genuine bank notes from the fake ones;
  • It has been found that high denomination  bank  notes were used for storage of unaccounted wealth which was evident from the large cash recoveries made by law enforcement agencies; and
  • It has also been found that fake currency is being used for financing subversive activities such as drug trafficking and terrorism, causing damage to the economy and security of the country.
  1. For the purpose of achieving these objectives, the Central Government, on the recommendations of the Central Board, took a decision to demonetize the bank notes of denominational value of Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/-. Assuming that holding bank notes is a right under Article 300-A of the Constitution of India, the limitation that is imposed is designated for a proper By no stretch of imagination could it be said that the aforesaid three purposes, i.e., elimination of  fake  currency, black money and terror financing are not proper purposes. As such, the first test is satisfied.
  2. The second test is  as  to  whether  the  measure undertaken to effectuate such a limitation is rationally connected to the fulfilment of that purpose – that would be the nexus The question, therefore, is, as to whether the measures taken in the present case have a reasonable nexus with the purpose to be achieved? As already discussed hereinabove, the purpose of demonetization was to eliminate the fake currency notes, black money, drug trafficking & terror financing. Can it be said that demonetizing high denomination bank notes of Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- does not have a reasonable nexus with the three purposes sought to be achieved? We find that there is a reasonable nexus between the measure of  demonetization  with the aforesaid purposes of  addressing  issues  of  fake  currency bank notes, black money, drug  trafficking  &  terror  financing. As such, the second test stands satisfied.
  1. Insofar as the third test is concerned, it is required to be examined as to whether the measure undertaken is necessary in that there are no alternative measures that may similarly achieve the same purpose with the lesser degree of limitation. As held in the case of R.F. Ltd. v.  Inspector  Kerala  Govt. and Others71, to judge the reasonableness of the restrictions, no abstract or general pattern or a fixed principle can be laid down so as to be of universal application and the same will vary from case to case. As to what measure is required to meet the aforesaid objectives is exclusively within the domain of the experts. The RBI, as already held, plays a material role in economic and monetary policy and issues relating to management and regulation of currency. The Central Government is the best judge since it has all the inputs with regard to fake currency, black money, terror financing & drug trafficking. As such, what measure is required to be taken to curb the menace of fake currency, black money and terror financing would be best left to the discretion of the Central Government, in consultation with the RBI. Unless the said discretion has been exercised in a palpably arbitrary and unreasonable manner, it will not be possible for the Court to interfere with the same.
  1. In any case, what alternate measure could have been undertaken with a lesser degree of limitation is very difficult to Whether the Courts possess an expertise to decide as to whether demonetization of only Rs.500/- denomination notes ought to have been done or  the  denomination  of only the  notes of Rs.1000/- ought to have been done or as to whether particular series of the bank notes ought to have been demonetized. These are all the areas which are purely within the domain of the experts and beyond the arena of judicial review.
  1. Insofar as the fourth test, that is the proper relation between the importance of achieving the proper purpose and the social importance of preventing the limitation on the constitutional right is concerned, can it really be said that there is no proper relation between the importance of curbing the menace of fake currency, black money, drug trafficking & terror financing on one hand and demonetizing the 500/- and Rs.1000/- notes, thereby imposing restriction on the use of demonetized currency?
  2. In any case, by demonetization, the right vested in the notes was not taken The only restrictions were with regard to exchange of old notes with the new notes, which were also gradually relaxed from time to time. Insofar as deposit of the demonetized notes in banks is concerned, there was no limitation. If a citizen had a ‘Know Your Customer (KYC) compliant bank account’, he could deposit any amount and  get to his credit the full value of legitimate currency. As such, the right to property in bank notes was not taken  away. A  full value of legitimate currency was entitled to be deposited in the bank account, however, up to a particular date. In any case, there was no restriction on non-cash transactions like debit card, credit card, net banking, online transactions etc.
  1. We find that the argument that the right to property was sought to be  taken  away  is  without  In  any  case, even if there were reasonable restrictions  on the said right, the said restrictions were in the public interest  of  curbing  evils  of fake currency, black money, drug  trafficking  &  terror  financing. As such, we find that applying the four-pronged test, the doctrine of proportionality is fully satisfied.
  1. Insofar as reliance on the judgment of the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of S. Puttaswamy (Retired) and another (Aadhaar) (supra) is concerned, in the facts of the said case, the Constitution Bench found that, on account of various measures taken by the Government to give a boost to digital economy, millions of persons, who are otherwise poor, had opened their bank accounts. They were also becoming habitual to the good practice of entering into transactions through their banks and even by using digital modes for operation of their bank accounts. The Court, in this background, found that making the requirement of Aadhaar compulsory for all such and other persons in the name of checking money laundering or black money was grossly disproportionate. The observations made therein were in the context of the factual background that fell for consideration in the said case. In our view, the said observations would not be applicable to the facts of the present case. We have already considered in detail as to how, upon application of the four-pronged test of proportionality, the impugned notification cannot be struck down.
  1. In any case, in our view, there is a direct and proximate nexus between the restrictions imposed and the objectives sought to be As held by this Court in the case of M.R.F. Ltd. (supra), if there is a direct nexus between the restrictions and the object of the action, then a strong presumption in favour of the constitutionality of the action naturally arises.
  1. We, therefore, hold that  the  impugned  notification  dated 8th November 2016 does not violate the principle of proportionality and as such, is  not liable  to be  struck  down on the said ground.

 

  • ISSUE NO. (v): AS TO WHETHER THE PERIOD  PROVIDED FOR EXCHANGE OF NOTES VIDE THE IMPUGNED NOTIFICATION DATED 8TH NOVEMBER 2016 CAN BE SAID TO BE UNREASONABLE?

 

  1. It is sought to be urged that the period provided for exchange of old notes with the new notes under the impugned Notification is unreasonable.
  2. Under the 1978 Act, the Ordinance was notified on 16th January 1978, which transformed into the Act on 30th March Under Section 3 of the 1978 Act, all high denomination bank notes, notwithstanding anything contained in Section 26 of the RBI Act, ceased to be legal tender in payment or on account at any place. Under Section 7 of the 1978 Act, every person desiring to tender for exchange demonetized notes was required to submit a declaration giving the particulars not later than 19th January 1978.
  3. Under Section 8 of the 1978 Act, a person who  failed  to apply for exchange of any demonetized notes within the time provided under Section 7 thereof, was  entitled  to  tender  the notes together with a declaration required under Section 7 thereof along with the statement explaining the reasons for his or her failure to apply within the specified time limit. Under sub-section (2) of Section 8 of the 1978 Act, if the RBI was satisfied with the reasons for the failure to submit the notes prior to 19th January 1978 being genuine, it could pay the value of the notes in the manner specified in sub-section (4) of Section 7 thereof. Under sub-section (3) of Section 8 thereof, an appeal was provided before the Central Government against the refusal of the RBI to pay the value of the notes.
    1. It could thus be seen that under the 1978 Act, three days’ period was provided for exchanging the demonetized notes. If a person could not avail of the said period, five days’ grace period was made available during which period the money could be exchanged subject to the RBI being satisfied with the genuineness of the reasons for not submitting the same within three days. As such, the period available to everyone was three days which could be further extended by five days. A challenge was raised on the ground that the period was unreasonable and violative of the fundamental Rejecting the said contention, the Constitution Bench in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah (supra) observed thus:
  • 10. It was, however, contended on behalf of the petitioners that even if it was assumed that Article 31 had  not been violated, the time prescribed for exchange of the high denomination banknotes under Sections 7 and 8 of the Demonetisation Act was unreasonable and violative of their fundamental rights. When the above provisions of the Act are considered in the context of the purpose the Demonetisation Act sought to achieve, namely, to stop circulation of high denomination banknotes as early as possible, the above contention of the petitioners cannot be accepted. Consequent upon the high denomination banknotes ceasing to be legal tender on the expiry of 16-1-1978 and in view of the prohibition in the transfer of possession of such notes from one person to another thereafter as envisaged under Section 4, it was absolutely  necessary  to  ensure that no opportunity was available to the holders of high denomination banknotes to transfer the same to the possession of others. At the same time it was necessary to afford a reasonable opportunity to the holders of such notes to get the same exchanged. However, if the time for such exchange was not limited the high denomination banknotes could be circulated and transferred without the knowledge of the authorities concerned from one person to another and any such transferee could walk into the Bank on any day thereafter and demand exchange of his notes. In that case it would have been wellnigh impossible for the Bank to prove that such a person was not the owner or holder of the notes on 16-1-1978. Needless to say in such an eventuality the very object which the Demonetisation Act sought to achieve would have been defeated.  Obviously, to strike a balance between these competing and  disparate considerations Section 7(2) of the Demonetisation Act  limited  the  time to exchange the notes till 19-1-1978. However, even thereafter, in view of Section 8, the high denomination banknotes could be exchanged  from the Bank till 24-1-1978 provided the tenderer was able to explain the reasons for his failure to  apply  for such exchange within the time stipulated under Section 7(2) of the Demonetisation Act. Apart from the above provisions regarding exchange of high denomination banknotes by the Bank within the time stipulated therein, provision has been made in sub-section (7) of  Section  7, permitting the Central Government, for reasons to be recorded in writing, to extend in any case or class of cases the period during which high denomination banknotes may be tendered for exchange. From a combined reading of Sections 7 and 8 it is evidently clear that on furnishing a declaration complete in all particulars in accordance with sub-section (2) of Section 7 by 19-1-1978, the holder was entitled to get the exchange value of his notes from the Bank without any let or hindrance; thereafter, till 24-1-1978, he was also entitled to such exchange from the Bank if he could satisfactorily explain the reasons for his inability to apply by 19-1-1978 and after that date the Central Government was empowered to extend the period of such exchange. Such being the scheme of the Act regarding exchange of high denomination banknotes it cannot be said that the time and the manner in which the high denomination banknotes could be exchanged were unreasonable, unjust and violative of the petitioners’ fundamental rights.

 

  1. The Constitution Bench found that if the time for such exchange was not limited, the high denomination bank notes could be circulated  and  transferred  without  the  knowledge  of the authorities concerned, from one person to another and any such transferee could walk into the Bank on any day thereafter and demand exchange of his notes. It was held that, in such an eventuality, the very object which the Demonetization Act sought to achieve would have been  defeated.  The  Court  found that between 16th January  1978  and  19th January  1978,  the holder was entitled to  get the  exchange value  of his notes  from the  Bank  without  any  limit  or  hindrance. The  challenge  that the period of three  days  was  unreasonable, unjust and  violative of the petitioners’ fundamental rights, stood specifically rejected.
  1. In the present case, the period for exchanging any amount of SBNs and depositing the same in the KYC compliant bank account without any limit or hindrance was 52 days, whereas the said period in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah (supra) was only three days, which is much less as compared to the one provided by the impugned In the light of what has been held by the Constitution Bench in the case of Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah  (supra),  we  fail  to  understand as to how the said period of 52 days could be construed to be unreasonable, unjust and violative of the petitioners’ fundamental rights.
  1. We, therefore, hold that the  period  provided  for  exchange of notes vide the  impugned  Notification  dated  8th November 2016 cannot be said to be unreasonable.

 

  • ISSUE NO. (vi): AS TO WHETHER THE RBI HAS AN INDEPENDENT POWER UNDER SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 4 OF THE 2017 ACT IN ISOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3 AND  SECTION  4(1)  THEREOF TO ACCEPT THE DEMONETIZED NOTES BEYOND THE PERIOD SPECIFIED IN NOTIFICATIONS ISSUED UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) OF SECTION 4 OF THE 2017 ACT?

 

  1. It is sought to be urged by Shri Divan that the RBI has independent power under sub-section (2) of Section  4  of  the 2017

 

  • Contextual and harmonious construction of the provisions of the 2017 Act.

 

  1. For appreciating the said contention, it will be appropriate to refer to Sections 3 and 4 of the 2017 Act, which read thus:
  • 3. Specified bank notes to cease to be liability of Reserve Bank or Central Government.— On and from the appointed day, notwithstanding anything contained in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) or any other law for the time being in force, the  specified bank notes which have ceased to be legal tender, in view of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance, number S.O. 3407(E), dated the 8th November, 2016, issued under sub- section (2) of section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934,  shall  cease  to be liabilities of the Reserve Bank under section 34 and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 26 of the said Act.
  1. Exchange of specified bank notes.—
  • Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3, the following persons holding specified bank notes on or before the 8th day of November, 2016 shall be entitled to tender within the grace period with such declarations or statements, at such offices of the Reserve Bank or in such other manner as may be specified by it, namely:—
  • a citizen of India who makes a declaration that he was outside India between the 9th November, 2016 to 30th December, 2016, subject to such conditions as may be specified, by notification, by the Central Government; or
  • such class of persons and for such reasons as may be specified by notification, by the Central Government.
  • The Reserve Bank may, if satisfied, after making such verifications as it may consider necessary that the reasons for failure to deposit the notes within the period specified in the notification referred to in section 3, are genuine, credit the value of the notes in his Know Your Customer  compliant  bank  account in such  manner  as  may  be  specified  by it.
  • Any person, aggrieved by  the  refusal of the Reserve Bank to credit the value of the notes under sub-section (2), may make a representation to the Central Board of the Reserve Bank within fourteen days of the communication of such refusal to him.

Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, the expression “Know Your Customer compliant bank account” means the account which complies with the conditions specified in the regulations made by the Reserve Bank under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949).”

  1. The effect of Section 3 of the 2017 Act is that the SBNs, which have ceased to be legal tender, in view of the impugned Notification, shall cease to be liabilities of the RBI under Section 34 of the RBI Act and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the RBI The legislative intent under Section 3 of the 2017 Act is to provide clarity and finality to the liabilities of the RBI and the Central Government arising from such bank notes which have ceased to be legal tender with effect from 9th November 2016.
  2. Sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides that notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3 of the 2017 Act, a class of persons would be entitled to tender within the grace period with such declarations or statements, at such offices of the RBI or in such other manner as may be  specified by it. Clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act deals with a citizen of India who makes a declaration that he was outside India between 9th November 2016 and 30th December, 2016, however, subject to such conditions as may be specified, in the notification, by the Central Government. Clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act empowers the Central Government to issue a notification with regard to persons holding SBNs who would be entitled to tender within the grace period for such reasons as may be specified in the said notification.
  1. It is thus clear that, though in view of the impugned Notification and in view of Section 3 of the 2017 Act, demonetized notes have ceased to be a legal tender and have ceased to be the liabilities of  the  RBI  under  Section  34  of  the RBI Act and the guarantee of the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the RBI Act, a window is provided by Section 4 of the 2017 Act.   Clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act deals with a citizen of India who makes a declaration that he was outside India between 9th November 2016 and 30th December, 2016, subject to such conditions as may be specified, by notification, by the Central Government. Accordingly, a notification is issued by the Central Government on 30th  December 2016.  In view of clause of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act, the Central Government is empowered to provide a window for tendering the SBNs which have otherwise ceased to be a legal tender to such class of persons and for the reasons as may be specified in the notification. Sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides that the RBI, if satisfied with the reasons for failure to deposit the notes within the period specified in the impugned Notification, e., prior to 30th December 2016, are genuine, credit the value of the notes in his KYC compliant bank account in such manner as may be specified by it. However, prior to doing so, the RBI is  required  to  make  such  verifications  as  it may consider necessary for finding out the genuineness of the reasons for failure to deposit the notes prior to 30th December 2016.   The provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act are somewhat analogous to the provisions in sub-sections and (2) of Section 8 of the 1973  Sub-section  (3)  of Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides that any person, aggrieved by the refusal of the RBI to credit the value of the notes under sub- section (2), can make a representation  to  the  Central  Board  of the RBI within fourteen days of  the  communication  of  such refusal to him. This provision is somewhat analogous with sub- section (3) of Section 8 of the 1973 Act.
  1. It is thus clear that Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides an integrated scheme. Sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act empowers the Central Government to provide a window to the persons holding SBNs on or before 8th November 2016 to tender the same within the grace period with such declarations or Clause (i) thereof is applicable to the citizens who were outside India between 9th November 2016 and 30th December 2016. Clause (ii) thereof enables the Central Government to provide a window to such class of persons and for such reasons as may be specified in the notification by the Central Government. Sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides for consideration of the cases covered by sub- section (1) thereof. It provides that the RBI, upon its satisfaction, after making such verifications as it may consider necessary that the reasons for failure to deposit the notes prior to 30th December 2016, are genuine, will credit the value of the notes in KYC compliant bank account of such a person. If any person is aggrieved by the refusal of the RBI under sub-section (2), an appellate opportunity is provided to such a  person, under sub-section (3).
  1. The Constitution Bench  of  this  Court  in  the  case  of Popatlal Shah v. The State of Madras72, observed thus:

 

  • “It is a settled rule of  construction  that to ascertain the legislative intent, all the constituent parts of a statute are to be taken together and each word, phrase or sentence is to be considered in the light of the general purpose and object of the Act itself.”
  1. We may gainfully refer to the following observations of this Court in the case of Peerless General Finance  and Investment Company Limited (supra):
  • 33. Interpretation must depend on  the text and the context. They are the bases of interpretation. One may well say if the text is the texture, context is what gives the colour. Neither can be ignored. Both are important. That interpretation is best which makes the textual interpretation match the contextual. A statute is best interpreted when we know why it was enacted. With this knowledge, the statute must be read, first as a whole and then section by section, clause by clause, phrase by phrase and word by word. If a statute is looked at, in the context of its enactment, with the glasses of the statute- maker, provided by such context, its scheme, the sections, clauses, phrases and words may take colour and appear different than when the statute is looked at without the glasses provided by the context. With these glasses we must look at the Act as a whole and discover what each section, each clause, each phrase and each word is meant and designed to say as to fit into the scheme of the entire Act. No part of a statute and no word of a statute can be construed in isolation. Statutes have to be construed so that every word has a place and everything is in its place.….”
  1. The interpretation which makes the textual interpretation match the contextual has to be A statute is best interpreted when the reason and purpose for its enactment is ascertained. The statute  must  be  read  first  as  a  whole,  and then section by section, clause by clause, phrase by phrase and word by word.   It has been held that if the statute is looked at in the context of its enactment with the  glasses  of  the  statute- maker, provided by such context, its scheme, the sections, clauses, phrases and words may take colour and appear different than when the statute is looked at without the glasses provided by the context. With these glasses we must look at the Act as a  whole  and  discover  what  each  section,  each  clause, each phrase and each word means and what it is designed to say as to fit into the scheme of the entire Act. No part of  a statute and no word of a statute can be construed in isolation.
  1. If we look at the purpose of the 2017 Act, it is for extinguishing the liabilities of the SBNs which have ceased to be legal tender with effect from 9th November 2016 so as to give clarity and finality to the liabilities of the RBI and the Central Government arising from such bank notes which have ceased to be legal tender. However, in order to provide a grace period to genuine cases, Section 4 of the 2017 Act has been incorporated. Section 5 of the 2017 Act provides for prohibition on holding, transferring or  receiving  Sections  6  and  7  of  the  2017 Act are penal sections which provide for penalty for contravention of Sections 4 and 5 of the 2017 Act, respectively.
  2. It is thus clear that Section 4 of the 2017 Act provides for an integrated scheme. It is a complete code in itself. Under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act, the Central Government is entitled to provide grace Under sub- section (2) thereof, the RBI is required to satisfy as to whether a person seeking to take benefit of grace period under sub-section is entitled thereto after satisfying that the reasons for not depositing the SBNs prior to 30th December 2016, are  genuine, and thereafter, credit the value of the said notes in his ‘KYC compliant  bank  account’. Sub-section  (3)  thereof  provides  for an We are therefore of the considered view that sub- section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act cannot be read independently to provide power to the RBI in isolation of sub- sections (3) and (4) thereof. It is to be read as  a  part  of  the scheme of Section 4 of the 2017 Act.
  1. Shri Divan and various other  learned  counsel  contended that there were  various genuine cases wherein  the persons could not deposit the demonetized notes within the specified The impugned Notification was sought to be challenged on the ground that it has caused hardship to number of persons. It was therefore  urged  that  this  Court  should  either hold the impugned Notification to be arbitrary or direct the Central Government to exercise the powers under Section 4(1)(ii) of the 2017 Act or by exercising the powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India to provide a window so as  to enable genuine persons  to  exchange  their  demonetized  notes. We have already referred to the judgment of  this  Court  in  the case of Km. Sonia Bhatia (supra) hereinbefore.
  1. As such, the contention that the impugned notification is liable to be set aside on the ground that it caused hardship to individual/citizens will hold no water. The individual interests must yield to the larger public interest sought to be achieved by impugned Notification.
  2. Insofar as the suggestion to frame a scheme and provide a window for a limited period so as to enable citizens having genuine reasons to exchange the notes is concerned, we do not find that it will be appropriate for us in the absence of any expertise in economic, monetary and fiscal matters to frame such a In our view, it will be encroaching upon the areas reserved for the experts. If the Central Government finds that there exists any such class of persons and there are any reasons for extending the benefit under Section 4 of the 2017 Act, it is within its discretion to do so. In our view, it cannot be done by a judicial mandate.
  1. We therefore hold that the RBI does not have independent power under sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act in isolation of the provisions of Sections 3 and 4(1) thereof to accept the demonetized notes beyond the period specified in notifications issued under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017
  • IX. ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS

 

  1. We accordingly answer the Reference as under:
  • The power available to the Central Government under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act cannot be restricted to mean that it can be exercised only for ‘one’ or ‘some’ series of bank notes and not for ‘all’ series of bank notes. The power can be exercised for all series of bank notes.  Merely  because  on  two  earlier  occasions, the demonetization  exercise  was  by  plenary  legislation, it cannot be held that such a power would not be available to the Central Government under sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act;
  • Sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act does not provide for excessive delegation inasmuch as there is an inbuilt safeguard that such a power has to be exercised on the recommendation of the Central As such, sub-section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act is not liable to be struck down on the said ground;
  • The impugned Notification dated 8th November 2016 does not suffer from any flaws in the decision-making process;
  • The impugned Notification dated 8th November 2016 satisfies the  test  of proportionality and, as  such, cannot be struck down on the said ground;
  • The period provided for exchange of notes vide the impugned Notification dated 8th November 2016  cannot be said to unreasonable; and
  • The RBI does not possess independent power under sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act in isolation of the provisions of Sections 3 and 4(1) thereof to accept the demonetized notes beyond the period specified in notifications issued under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the 2017 Act.
  1. Having answered the Reference, we direct the Registry  of this Court  to  place  the  matter  before  Hon’ble  the  Chief  Justice of India for placing it before the appropriate Bench(es). Needless to state that all other contentions are kept open to be considered by the Bench(es) before which the matters would be placed.
  2. Before parting with the judgment, we place on record our deep appreciation  for  the  valuable  assistance  rendered  by  Shri R Venkataramani, learned Attorney General, Shri P. Chidambaram, Shri Shyam Divan and Shri Jaideep Gupta, learned Senior Counsel and all other counsel appearing for the parties.

………………………….J.

[S. ABDUL NAZEER]

  

………………………….J.

[B.R. GAVAI]

  

………………………….J.

[A.S. BOPANNA]

 

…..………………………….J.

[V. RAMASUBRAMANIAN]

 

NEW DELHI; JANUARY 02, 2023

REPORTABLE

 

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL/CRIMINAL APPELLATE/ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

 

WRIT PETITION (C) NO. 906 OF 2016

 

 

VIVEK NARAYAN SHARMA                                                        …PETITIONER

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA                                                                              …RESPONDENT

WITH

CONNECTED MATTERS

NAGARATHNA, J.

I N D E X

 

 

Sr.

No.

Particulars Page

No.(s)

1. Introduction: 2­9
2. Controversy in these cases: 9­11
3. The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934: An overview 11­18
4. Submissions: 18­31
5. History and instances of Demonetisation: 32­34
6. History of Demonetisation in India: 34­43
7. The Actual Controversy: 43­43
8. The Reserve Bank of India: Bulwark of the Indian

Economy

43­50
9. Economic/Fiscal Policies: Interference by Courts 50­58
10. Section 26 of the Act: Interpretation:

 

(i)           Deciphering the plain meaning of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act:

 

(ii)      Affidavits and Record of the Case:

 

(iii)    Legal Principles applicable to the instant case:

58­113

 

84­94

 

 

94­104

 

104­113

11. What relief may be awarded in the present case? 113­118
12. Conclusions: 118­124

 

  

J U D G M E N T

 

I have had the benefit of reading the judgment proposed by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

  1. However, I wish to differ on  the  reasoning  and  conclusions arrived at in his judgement with regard to exercise of power by  the Central Government under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “the  Act”  for  the sake of brevity) by issuance of the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016.

Hence, my separate judgment.

Preface:

 

  1. By way of a preface, I state that the judgment proposed by His Lordship, Gavai, does not recognise the essential  fact  that  the  Act does not envisage initiation of demonetisation of bank notes by the Central Government. Sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, contemplates demonetisation of bank notes at  the  instance  of  the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as “the Bank”). Hence, if demonetisation is to be initiated by the Central Government, such power is derived from Entry 36 of  List  I  of  the Seventh Schedule  to  the  Constitution  which  speaks  of  currency, coinage and legal tender; foreign exchange.
  • In view of the interpretation given by me to sub­section (2)  of Section 26 of the Act in the context of the powers of the Central Board of the Bank and the Central Government  vis­à­vis  demonetisation  of bank notes, my answer is only with regard to question No.1 of the reference order. Incidentally,  while  considering  the  same,  I  would touch upon question No. 7 of the reference order.
  1. The questions for  consideration  of  this  Constitution  Bench framed by the  Predecessor  Bench  on  16th  December,  2016  are extracted as under:
    • “Whether the notification dated 8th November 2016 is ultra vires Section 26(2) and Sections 7,17,23,24,29 and 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934;
  • Does the notification  contravene  the  provisions of Article 300(A) of the Constitution;
  • Assuming that the notification has been validly issued under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 whether it is ultra vires Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution;
  • Whether the limit on  withdrawal  of  cash  from the funds deposited in  bank  accounts  has  no basis in law and violates Articles 14,19 and 21;
  • Whether the implementation of the impugned notification(s) suffers from procedural and/or substantive unreasonableness and thereby violates Articles 14 and 19 and, if so, to what effect?
  • In the event that Section 26(2) is held to permit demonetization, does it suffer from excessive delegation of legislative power thereby rendering it ultra vires the Constitution;
  • What is the scope of judicial review in matters relating to fiscal and economic policy of the Government;
  • Whether a petition by a political party on the issues raised is maintainable under Article 32; and
  • Whether District Co­operative Banks have been discriminated against by excluding them from accepting deposits and exchanging demonetized notes”
  • Keeping in view the general public importance and the far­reaching implications which the answers to the questions may have, we consider it proper to direct that the matters be placed before the larger Bench of five Judges for an authoritative pronouncement. The Registry shall accordingly place the papers before Hon’ble the Chief Justice for constituting an appropriate Bench.”
  1. His Lordship, Gavai, has reframed the questions referred to this Constitution Bench and culled out six questions, which have been answered in the erudite judgment proposed by him. My views on each of such questions, as contrasted with those of His Lordship’s have been expressed in a tabular form hereinunder, for easy reference.
Question, as reframed

by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

His Lordship’s views My views
1.              “Whether the power available to the Central          Government under sub­section (2) of Section 26  of  the  RBI Act  can  be  restricted  to

mean   that   it   can   be

i)    The  power  available to the Central Government under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act cannot be restricted to mean     that     it     can     be

exercised  only  for  one  or

i)     The                   Central Government possesses the power to initiate and carry out the process                               of

demonetisation    of    all

Question, as reframed

by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

His Lordship’s views My views
exercised only for “one” or “some” series of bank notes  and  not  “all” series in view of  the word “any” appearing before the word “series” in the sub­section, specifically so, when on earlier  two  occasions, the                  demonetisation exercise  was  done  by the                           plenary

legislations?”

some series of bank notes and not to all  series  of bank notes.

ii)               The power can be exercised for all series of bank notes.

iii)           Merely because on two earlier occasions, the demonetization exercise had done by plenary legislation, it cannot be

held that such a power could not be available under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the RBI Act.”

series of bank notes, of all            denominations. However, all series of bank notes, of all denominations could not be recommended to be demonetised, by the Central Board of the Bank under Section 26

(2) of the Act.

 

ii) Sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act applies only when a proposal                              for

demonetisation

is initiated by                the Central Board of the Bank by way of a recommendation being made to the Central Government.

iii) On receipt of a recommendation from the Central Board of the              Bank              for demonetisation under Section 26 (2) of the Act, the Central Government may accept the said recommendation or may not do so. If the Central Government accepts                            the

recommendation,       it

may              issue              a notification       in        the

Question, as reframed

by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

His Lordship’s views My views
Gazette in this regard.

 

iv)   The                   Central Government may also initiate and carry out demonetisation,   even in the absence of a recommendation by the Central Board of the Bank.    However,     this must be carried out only by enacting a plenary legislation or law in this regard, and not through issuance             of             a Notification under sub­ section (2) of Section

26 of the Act as this provision           is           not applicable in cases where the proposal for demonetisation                is initiated by the Central Government.

2. “In  the  event  it  is held that the power under sub­section (2) of Section 26  of  the  RBI Act  is  construed  to mean “all” series, whether the power vested with the Central Government under the said sub­section would amount to conferring excessive                            delegation and as such, liable to “The power vested with the Central Government under sub­section (2) of Section

26 of the RBI Act  cannot be struck down on the ground of conferring excessive delegation.”

i)              This question does not   arise   for consideration as it has been held that the power under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act cannot be construed to mean “all” series or “all” denominations.

ii)            In my view, if the Central  Board  of  the Bank is vested with the power to recommend

Question, as reframed

by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

His Lordship’s views My views
be struck down?” demonetisation of “all” series             or                         “all” denominations of bank notes, the same would amount to a case of excessive vesting of powers with the Bank.
3.        “Whether           the impugned      notification dated     8th                November, 2016 is                liable      to       be struck     down    on    the ground          that          the decision­making process                is       flawed     in Law?” “The                         impugned Notification dated 8th November, 2016, does not suffer from any flaws  in the               decision­making process.” i)                                    That the measure of demonetisation ought  to have been  carried  out  by the   Central    Government by way of enacting an Act                    or    plenary legislation.

ii)                                The proposal for demonetisation arose from the Central Government                  and therefore, could not be given effect to by way of issuance             of            a

Notification                       as contemplated under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, as, such provision would not apply in cases  where  the proposal                                               for

demonetisation                   has originated from the Central Government, such as the instant case.

iii) That the decision­ making process was also tainted with elements of “non­exercise                                                 of
Question, as reframed

by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

His Lordship’s views My views
discretion” by the Central Board of the Bank in rendering its advise on the impugned measure. That the Bank acted at the behest of the Central Government and did not render an independent opinion to the Central Government.

iv)       Therefore,               the

impugned Notification dated            8th November, 2016 issued under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is unlawful. Further, the subsequent Ordinance of 2016 and Act of 2017 incorporating the terms of the impugned Notification are also unlawful.

4.        “Whether           the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016, is liable to be struck  down  applying the                test               of proportionality?” “The impugned Notification dated 8th November 2016 satisfies the test of proportionality and, as such, cannot be struck down on the said ground.” This question need not be answered in view of the above answers.
5.        “Whether           the period provided for exchange of notes vide the                      impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016, can be said                to                                       be

unreasonable?”

“The period provided for exchange of notes vide the impugned                               Notification dated 8th November 2016 cannot be said to unreasonable.” This question need not be answered in view of the above answers.
Question, as reframed

by His Lordship, B.R. Gavai, J.

His Lordship’s views My views
6.        “Whether the RBI “The RBI does not possess This question  need  not  be
has      an      independent independent power  under answered  in   view   of   the
power       under        sub­ sub­section (2)  of  Section above answers.
section (2) of Section 24 4    of    the    2017    Act    in
of    the     2017     Act     in isolation of  the  provisions
isolation           of           the of    Sections    3    and    4(1)
provisions of  Section  3 thereof     to      accept      the
and Section 4(1) thereof demonetized notes  beyond
to             accept             the the     period    specified    in
demonetised            notes notifications issued  under
beyond       the        period subsection (1) of Section 4
specified in notifications of the 2017 Act.”
issued                        under
subsection (1) of Section
4 of the 2017 Act?”

The    reasons     for    the     aforesaid     conclusions      shall     now    be discussed.

Controversy in these cases:

 

  1. Practices such as hoarding “black” money, counterfeiting, etc., when coupled with corruption, are eating into the vitals of our society and economy. Any measure intended to strike at such practices, and thereby eliminate off shoots thereof, such as, terror funding, drug trafficking, emergence of a parallel economy, money laundering including Havala transactions, must be commended. Such measures are necessary to sanitize the economy and society, and enable it to recover from the plague caused by the evils listed Therefore, it cannot be denied that demonetisation in the instant case was a well­intentioned proposal. However, in my separate opinion I shall proceed to legalistically examine whether demonetisation, as well­intentioned as it may have been, was carried out in accordance with the procedure established under law.
  • The controversy in these cases revolves around the exercise of power by the Central Government under sub­section (2)  of Section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, Sub – ­section
  • of Section 26 of the Act  provides that  every  bank  note  shall be a legal tender as per the amount expressed therein and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government. However, as per sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, bank notes can cease  to  be legal tender when the  Central  Government  issues  a  notification in the Gazette of India declaring  that  with effect  from  such  date as may be specified in the said notification any  series  of  bank notes  of  any denomination  shall  cease  to  be  legal   Such a notification may be issued on the  recommendation  of  the Central Board of the Bank.  There  is  a  challenge  to  the  vires  of the said provision and also the validity of the Notification dated 8th November, 2016 issued by the  Central  Government.  As  a result of the said Notification, all  series  of  Rs.500/­  and Rs.1,000/­ denomination notes  were  demonetised  or  ceased  to be legal tender by issuance of a notification on the said date. At this stage itself, it may be mentioned that subsequent to the notification there was an Ordinance called “The Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance, 2016” (hereinafter referred to as “the 2016 Ordinance” for the sake of brevity) promulgated by the Hon’ble President of India, which was later made an Act of the  Parliament,  namely,  “The  Specified  Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017”  (hereinafter  called “2017 Act” for the sake of brevity) and was notified on 1st March 2017, replacing the Ordinance. The issuance of the aforesaid Notification and the action of the Central Government of demonetisation of all series of Rs.500/­ and  Rs.1,000/­  are assailed in these Writ Petitions.

The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934: An overview

 

  1. Before proceeding further, it would be useful to refer to the provisions of the Act for the sake of
  • The object and purpose of the Act is to constitute a Reserve Bank of India to regulate the issue of bank notes and for keeping reserves with a view to secure monetary stability in India, and to generally operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage.
  • The Preamble of the Act states that it is essential to have  a modern monetary policy framework to meet the challenge of an increasingly complex economy and the primary objective of the monetary policy is to maintain price stability while keeping  in mind the objective of growth. The monetary policy framework in India shall be operated by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • The following provisions of the Act are relevant for the purposes of this case and are extracted as under:

“Section 2­ Definitions: In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, ­

[a(ii)] “the Bank” means the Reserve Bank of India constituted by this Act;

[a(iii)] “Bank for International Settlements” mean the body corporate established with the said name under the law of Switzerland in pursuance of an agreement dated  the  20th  January,  1930,  signed  at the Hague;]

[a(iv)] “bank note” means a bank note issued by the Bank, whether in physical or digital form, under section 22;]

(b) “the Central Board” means the Central Board of Directors of the Bank;

(cc) “International Monetary Fund” and “International Bank for Reconstruction and Development” means respectively the “International Fund” and the “International Bank”, referred  to  in the International Monetary Fund and Bank Act, 1945;]

(d) “rupee coin” means (***) rupees which are legal tender in India under the provisions  of  the  Coinage Act, 2011 (11 of 2011)”

  • Chapter II of the Act deals with Incorporation, Capital, Management and Business. Section 3 speaks of establishment and incorporation of the Reserve Bank while Section 7 deals with Management of the Section 8 prescribes the composition of the Central Board, and term of office of Directors of the Bank. Section 30 pertains to the powers of the Central Government to supersede the Central Board of the Bank.
  • Chapter III of the Act which is relevant for the purpose of these cases deals with Central Banking Function. For the purposes of these cases, Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 26A, 27, 28 and 34 are relevant and the same read as under:
  • “22. Right to issue Bank notes. ­(1) The Bank shall have the sole right to  issue  Bank  notes  in  1[India], and may, for a period which shall be fixed by the [Central Government] on the recommendation of the Central Board, issue  currency  notes  of  the Government of India supplied to it by the [Central Government], and the  provisions  of  this  Act applicable to Bank notes shall, unless a contrary intention appears, apply to all currency notes of the Government of India issued either by the [Central Government] or by  the  Bank  in  like  manner  as  if such  currency  notes  were  Bank  notes,   and references in this Act  to  Bank  notes  shall  be construed accordingly.
  • On and from the date on which this Chapter comes into force the 5[Central Government] shall not issue any currency ”
  • “23. Issue Department ­ (1) The issue of Bank notes shall be conducted by the Bank  in  an  Issue Department which  shall  be  separated  and  kept wholly distinct  from  the  Banking  Department,  and the assets of the  Issue  Department  shall  not  be subject to any liability other than the liabilities of the Issue Department as  hereinafter  defined  in  Section 34.
  • (2) The Issue Department shall not issue Bank notes to the Banking Department or to any other person except in exchange for other Bank notes or for such coin, bullion or securities as are permitted by this Act to form part of the Reserve.”
  • “[24. Denominations of notes ­ (1) Subject to the provisions of sub­section (2), Bank notes shall  be  of the denominational values of two rupees, five rupees, ten rupees, twenty rupees, fifty rupees, one hundred rupees, five hundred rupees,  one  thousand  rupees, five thousand rupees and ten thousand rupees or of such other denominational values, not exceeding ten thousand  rupees,  as  the  Central   Government  may, on the recommendation of the Central Board, specify in this behalf.
  • (2) The Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Central Board, direct the non­issue or the  discontinuance  of  issue  of  Bank notes of  such  denominational  values  as  it  may specify in this behalf.]”
  • “25. Form of Bank notes ­ The design, form and material of Bank notes shall be such as may be approved by the [Central Government] after consideration of the recommendations  made  by Central Board.”
  • “26. Legal tender character of notes ­ (1) Subject to the provisions of sub­section (2),  every  Bank  note shall be legal tender at any place in [India] in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the [Central Government].
  • (2) On recommendation of the Central Board the [Central Government] may, by notification in the Gazette of India, declare that, with effect  from  such date as may  be  specified  in  the  notification,  any series of Bank notes of any  denomination  shall  cease to be legal tender [save at such office or agency of the Bank and to such extent as may be specified in the notification].”
  • “[26A. Certain Bank notes to cease to be legal tender­ Notwithstanding anything contained  in section  26,  no  Bank  note  of  the  denominational value of  five  hundred  rupees,  one  thousand  rupees or ten thousand rupees issued before the 13th day of January, 1946,  shall  be  legal  tender  in  payment  or on account for the amount expressed therein.]”
  • “27. Re­issue of notes­ The Bank shall not re­issue Bank notes which are torn, defaced or excessively spoiled.”
  • “34. Liabilities of the Issue Department­ (1) The liabilities of the Issue Department shall  be  an amount equal to the total of the amount of the currency notes of the Government of India and Bank notes for the time being in circulation.”
  • Section 22 states that the Bank has the sole right to issue bank notes in India, and may, for a period which shall be fixed by the Central Government on the recommendation  of  the  Central Board of the Bank, issue currency notes of the  Government  of India supplied to it by the Central On and from the date on which Chapter III comes into force, the  Central Government shall not issue any currency notes except the denomination of Rupee One.
  • The issue of bank notes shall be by the Issue Department of the Bank which shall be separated and kept wholly distinct from the Banking Department, and the assets of the Issue Department shall not be subject to any liability other than the liability of the Issue Department as defined under Section 34 of the Act, vide Section 23 of the Act. The liabilities of the Issue Department under Section 34 of the Act shall be an amount equal to the total of the amount of the currency notes of the Government of India and bank notes for the time being in circulation.
  • Sub­section (1) of Section 24 states that,  subject  to  the provisions of sub­section (2) of Section 24, the bank notes shall be of the denominational values of two rupees, five rupees, ten rupees, twenty rupees, fifty rupees, one hundred rupees, five hundred  rupees,  one  thousand  rupees,  five  thousand   rupees and ten thousand  rupees  or  of  such  other  denominational values, not exceeding ten thousand rupees, as the Central Government may, on the  recommendation  of  the  Central  Board of the Bank, specify in this However, this provision is subject to sub­section (2) of Section 24 which states that the Central Government may on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank, direct the non­issue or the discontinuance of issue of bank notes of such denominational values as  it  may specify in that behalf.  The  Central  Government  has  to approve the design for all the bank notes after consideration of the recommendation made by the Central Board  vide  Section  25  of the Act.
  • Sub­section (1) of Section 26 of the Act states that every  bank note shall be legal  tender  at  any  place  in  India  in  payment,  or on account for the amount expressed therein and shall be guaranteed  by  the  Central    This  is,  however, subject to sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, which states that the Central Government on the recommendation  of  the Central Board may,  by  issuance  of  a  notification  in  the  Gazette of India, declare that with effect from such date as  may  be specified in the notification, any series of Bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender, save at such office or agency of the Bank and to such extent as may be specified in the notification. Further discussion on this  provision  shall  be made at a later stage as the said provision is the centre of the controversy in these cases.
  • Pursuant to the demonetisation which was carried  out  in  the year 1946, bank notes of denominational value of 500/­, Rs.1,000/­ and Rs.10,000/­, issued before 13th January, 1946, ceased to be legal tender. Section 26A was inserted into the Act pursuant to the demonetisation which took place  in  the  year 1946, which was initially by an  Ordinance  and  subsequently  by an Act of Parliament. Section 26A was  inserted  into  the  Act  by Act 62 of 1956, with effect from 01.11.1956.
  • Section 27 provides that if a note is torn, defaced or excessively spoiled, the Bank shall not re­issue  such  a    Similarly, Section 28 provides that if a currency note of the Government of India or bank note is lost,  stolen,  mutilated  or  imperfect,  the value of same cannot be recovered from the Central Government or the Bank by any person.
  • Section 28A speaks of issue of special bank notes and special one­rupee notes in certain  The  said  provision  was inserted by Act 14 of 1959 with effect from 01.05.1959.

Submissions:

 

  1. We have heard learned senior counsel as well as counsel for the petitioners, and the learned Attorney General for India and learned senior counsel for the respondent­Bank, all assisted by learned counsel.
  • According to the learned senior counsel, Shri Chidambaram, appearing for some of the petitioners, the  Central  Government has the power to issue a notification in the Gazette of India declaring any series of  bank  notes  of  any  denomination  as having ceased to be legal tender and demonetise such currency notes, subject to compliance of certain procedural conditions prescribed under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the  Act. According to him, first, there has to be a recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank to the Central Government before the latter can issue a notification in  the  Gazette  of  India, demonetising any series of bank note of any denomination. That the Central Government cannot, by a simple notification in the Gazette of India, suo moto and in the absence of any recommendation of the Central Board of  the  Bank,  demonetise any currency note in circulation by issuance of a gazette notification under the said provision.
  • Also, the Central Government can demonetise only a particular series of bank notes of a particular denomination on the recommendation of the Central Board of the  In  other words, the expression “any” series of bank notes of “any denomination” cannot be  understood  as  “all”  series  of  bank notes of “all” denominations. That the expression “any” occurring twice in the section must be given the intended meaning and not supposed meaning and interpretation.
  • Shri Chidambaram submitted that  in  the  instant  case,  the Central Government without complying with the procedure envisaged under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, simply issued a notification in the Gazette of  India  on  8th  November, 2016 demonetising all series of bank notes of the denominations of  500/­  and  Rs.1,000/­.    Consequently,  approximately  86 per cent of all  notes  in  circulation  were  demonetised.  The serious effects of demonetisation are well­known and judicial notice of the same may be  taken.  Even  otherwise,  carrying  out the demonetisation by simply issuing  a  notification,  in  the absence of a recommendation made by the Central Board of the Bank, which is a condition precedent, is unlawful.  Further,  all series of bank notes of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ could  not have been demonetised by a stroke of a pen. The expression “any” in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act  means,  “a  particular” series of “a particular  denomination”  of  a  bank  note,  and  not “all” series of “all” denominations. He contended  that  in  the instant case, the issuance of the Notification, demonetising the entire currency of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ in circulation at the time, is unlawful and the exercise of power was erroneous and arbitrary and hence, the same ought to be declared so.
  • Learned senior counsel emphasized that sub­section (2)  of Section 26 of the Act must be given an interpretation which is legally workable and practicable and this Court ought not give a blanket power to the Central Government to demonetise all currency of a particular denomination, as such action would be contrary to the object envisaged under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • Further elaborating on his submission, learned senior counsel for the petitioners contended that the expression “any” ought not be interpreted as “all” as such an interpretation would be disastrous to the Indian economy and contrary to the true letter and spirit of the Act. He contended that the word “any” means “one of the many” and not “all”. Therefore, according to him, any one series of bank notes of a denomination could be demonetised and not all series of notes of a particular denomination or all series of bank notes of all denominations, by issuance of an executive He contended that if the Section is read down, then, it would be saved from the vice of unconstitutionality; otherwise, the power of the Central Government to demonetise all series of bank notes of all denominations would be arbitrary and an excessive power, which is devoid of any guidance. That such power if vested with the Central Government, would be contrary to the provisions of the Act. He further contended that exercise of discretion by the Central Government could be only  to  the  extent  of demonetisation of particular series of  bank  notes  of  any particular denomination that too on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank.  Such  vast  powers  so  as  to recommend demonetisation of all series of bank notes of any or all denominations, cannot also be vested with the Bank.
  • Learned senior counsel, Shri Shyam Diwan appearing for the petitioner, namely, Malvinder Singh in Writ Petition (Civil) 149 of 2017, submitted that apart from the guarantee given by the Central Government with regard to every bank note as a legal tender at any place in India, such notes are also the liabilities of the Issue Department of the Bank under Section 34 of the Act to the extent of an amount equal to the total of the value of the currency notes of the Government of India and bank notes for the time being in circulation.
  • Learned senior counsel submitted that in the  absence  of  a specific duty with regard to mitigating the long­lasting effects of demonetisation on the Indian economy,  the  decision  of  the Central Government to demonetise about 4% of the total currency in circulation is vitiated on account of manifest arbitrariness.
  • The learned senior counsel further contended that by applying the test of proportionality, the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016, is liable to be set aside.
  • Reliance was placed on S. Puttaswamy (Retired) (Aadhaar) vs. Union of India (2019) 1 SCC 1 to contend that the classical equality test can be applied to the present case to come to the conclusion that the decision of demonetisation had no nexus to the objective sought to be achieved.
  • It was further contended that the circular dated 31st December, 2016, is discriminatory, insofar as it prescribed no upper monetary limit applicable to Resident Indians for submission and exchange of Specified Bank Notes, which were declared to have ceased to be legal tender; however, the monetary limit of 25,000/­ per individual was fixed for Non­Resident Indians (NRIs), depending on when the notes were taken out of India in accordance with the FEMA Rules. That an additional liability was imposed on NRIs as they had to produce a certificate issued by the Indian Customs upon arrival after 30th December, 2016, indicating the import of SBNs and the details and value of the same.
  • The learned senior counsel brought to the Court’s notice an article titled “Using Fast Frequency Household Survey Data to Estimate the Impact of Demonetisation on Employment” authored by Mr. Mahesh Vyas, Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (2018) to contend that owing to the demonetisation carried out, there was a substantial reduction in employment and employment rates were 12 million lower than it was two months’ preceding demonetisation. Relying on the said article, he submitted that demonetisation resulted in a loss of millions of jobs.
  1. Per contra, learned Attorney General for India, Shri Venkataramani, vehemently countered the arguments of Shri P.Chidambaram, learned senior counsel, by contending that the power vested with the Central Government  under  sub­section  (2)  of  Section 26 of the Act is not arbitrary or without guidance. That the power to demonetise any currency note or legal tender is vested with the Central Government and such power is  of  a  wide  import  and  amplitude  and this Court may not  give  an  interpretation,  restricting  the  said  power. He contended that the power vested with the Central Government is exercised by the issuance of a notification in the Gazette of India which is on the basis of a recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank.
  • In this regard, learned Attorney General emphasized that earlier demonetisations were carried out in the years 1946 and 1978 by issuance of Ordinances and thereafter, converting the said Ordinances into Acts of Parliament. But in the instant case, the demonetisation dated 8th November, 2016 was for all series  of bank  notes  of  Rs.500/­   and  of  Rs.1,000/­  denominations,  by the issuance of a gazette notification, which is perfectly valid in the eyes of law and in accordance with sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • Learned Attorney General contended that the impugned gazette notification was issued having regard to the  salient  objectives that had to be achieved by the demonetisation of 500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ currency notes which are set out clearly in the notification dated 8th November, 2016. The salient objectives of demonetisation in the year 2016 were to eradicate black money, to eliminate fake currency from the Indian economy  and  to prevent terror funding. He therefore, contended that there is no merit in the submissions made by the learned senior counsel appearing  for the petitioners as the impugned notification  dated 8th November, 2016 is in accordance with sub­section (2)  of Section 26 of the Act and therefore, is valid. Shri Venkataramani, learned Attorney General, next submitted that the action taken by way of the impugned notification stands ratified by the 2017 Act and as the executive action has been validated by the will of the Parliament, the challenge to the notification would not survive.
  • The learned Attorney General contended that the word “any” appearing before the words “series of bank notes” in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act should be construed to mean “all”. He submitted that the argument of the petitioners that the word “any” would not mean “all” is flawed and if the same is accepted, it would permit the Government  to  issue  separate  notifications for each series, however, the Government would be  prohibited from issuing a common notification for all series.
  • The learned Attorney General submitted that the word “any” has been used in two places in sub­section 2 of Section 26 of the Act and the word “any” preceding the word “series  of  bank  notes” has to be construed to mean “all” whereas the word “any” preceding the word “denomination” may be construed to be a singular or The learned Attorney General placed
  • reliance  on  Maharaj Singh vs. State of Uttar Pradesh  (1977) 1 SCC 155 to contend that the same word used in the same provision twice could be permitted to have a different meaning in each of such usages.
  • The learned Attorney General contended that the submission made by the petitioners that the powers under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act have not been exercised in the manner provided therein and that the decision­making process was flawed on account of patent arbitrariness, is not tenable. He submitted that sub­section (2)  of  Section  26  of  the  Act postulates that the Central Government may take a decision to carry out  demonetisation  pursuant  to  the  recommendation  of the Central Board of  the  Bank  and  in  the  present  case,  there was a recommendation  made  by  the  Central  Board  to  the Central Government, recommending demonetisation. Thus, after considering the proposal of the Central Board, the Central Government took  the  decision  to  carry  out  demonetisation. Thus, the procedure as  envisaged  in  sub­section  (2)  of  Section 26 of the Act was duly complied with.
  • The learned Attorney      General      placed     reliance      on     Bajaj Hindustan  Limited  vs.  Sir  Lal  Enterprises  Limited  (2011)  1 SCC 640 wherein it was observed that economic and fiscal regulatory  measures  are  fields  on  which  Judges  should encroach upon very warily as Judges are not experts in these matters. The learned  Attorney General  submitted  that  the  Bank is an expert body charged with the duty of conceiving and implementing various facets of economic  and  monetary  policy and that there cannot be a straitjacket formula guiding the discharge of its duties. That  therefore,  it  must  be  allowed  to carry out its functions as it deems fit. The learned Attorney General further placed reliance on Rajbir Singh Dalal (Dr.) vs. Chaudhari Devi Lal University, Sirsa (2008) 9 SCC 284 and Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall vs. Howrah Ganatantrik  Nagrik  Samity  (2010)  3  SCC  640  to   contend that it is settled  law  that  the  courts  should  not  interfere  with the opinion of experts.
  • Shri Jaideep Gupta, learned senior counsel for the Bank contended that the withdrawal of all series of bank notes of the two denominations of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ was well within the jurisdiction and power conferred upon the Bank and the Central Government under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act and it is incorrect to say that the process under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act had not been followed. Thus, the process cannot be criticized on the ground of procedural lapse on part of the Bank or the Central Government.
  • Learned senior counsel for the Bank further contended that the submission of the petitioners that unless the phrase “any” in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is read  as  “some”  or “one”, the power conferred upon the Bank and the Central Government under the said section would be unguided and arbitrary, is without any It was submitted that  the expression “any” when construed literally refers to one, several or all of a total number. Thus, the expression “any” used in sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is broad enough to include “all”, and consequently, the power of the Government under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is not limited merely to a specific set or “series” alone. It was thus contended that sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is an enabling provision conferring authority on the Central Government to  declare  that any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender on the recommendation of the Central Board.
  • Learned senior counsel for the Bank also submitted that the decision of the Central Board of the Bank to recommend the measure of demonetisation and the decision of the Central Government to accept the recommendation cannot be subject to judicial It was further contended that in the sphere of economic policy making, the Wednesbury principles are of no or little significance and that the proportionality principle can also not be applied for judicial review of economic policy. Learned senior counsel thus asserted that it is imperative that no restrictions are placed on economic policies formulated by the Bank or  by  the  Central  Government.  Reliance  was  placed  on
  • Peerless General Finance and Investment Co. Ltd. vs. Reserve   Bank   of   India   (1992)   2   SCC   343   and    BALCO Employees’ Union (Regd.) vs. Union of India (2002) 2 SCC  333 to contend that  courts  cannot  interfere  with  economic policy which is the function of experts.
  • Learned senior counsel for the Bank further submitted that the contention of the petitioners that the decision­making process was faulty on account of not following the procedure under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, is without substance. Shri Jaideep Gupta, submitted that the procedure under sub­section (2) of Section 26  contemplates  two  things  i.e.,  recommendation of the Central Board,  and  the  decision  by  the  Central Government  and  that  in  the  present  case,  both  the requirements have been duly followed, thus, the argument advanced on behalf of the petitioners does not hold any water.
  • Learned senior counsel forthe   Bank placed  reliance on Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah vs. Reserve Bank of India (1996)  9 SCC  650  to  contend  that  a  similar  provision  providing for  a  specified  time  for  exchange  of  notes  was  found  to  be  valid by a Constitution Bench of this Court, while adjudicating on the legality of the 1978 demonetisation. He submitted that the time provided in the present case is similar to the time provided under the 1978 Act and the time period provided in the said act was  found  to  be  reasonable,  having  regard  to  the  purpose sought to be achieved by  the  said  Act.  The  learned  senior counsel further submitted that everybody had sufficient opportunity either to deposit the notes in their banks or to exchange the same.
  • Learned senior counsel for the Bank submitted that demonetisation was carried out in furtherance of national economic interest and the same ought  to  be  given  That the inconvenience caused to the public cannot be a ground to challenge the validity of  such  actions,  particularly  when prompt and adequate measures were taken by the  Bank  to mitigate the temporary hardships expected to be caused.
  • Learned senior counsel for the Bank submitted that the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, has given relief to certain categories of persons subject to It was thus contended that individual cases of hardship that have not been provided for in the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, cannot be gone into.
  • It was further submitted that Section 8 of the RBI Act, 1934, provides for the composition of the Central Board and  sub­ section 1 of Section 4 stipulates that the Central  Board  shall consist of the following Directors, namely:
  1. A Governor and not more than four Deputy Governors to be appointed by the Central Government;
  2. Four Directors to be nominated by the  Central Government, one from each of the four Local Boards as constituted under Section 9;
  3. Ten Directors to be nominated by the Central Government; and
  4. Two Government officials to be nominated by the Central
  • It was submitted that the 561st meeting of the  Central Board of the Bank was held on 08.11.2016 at New Delhi and business was transacted therein with the requisite quorum. That during the said meeting, apart from the then Governor and two Deputy Governors, one Director nominated under Section 8(1)(b) of the Act, two Directors nominated under Section 8(1)(c) of the Act and two Directors nominated under Section 8(1)(d) of the Act were present. Thus, the requisite quorum of four directors of whom not less than three directors nominated under Section 8(1)(b) or 8(1)(c) were present for the meeting. Thus, the requisite procedure was duly followed by the Bank in the conduct of the 561st meeting of the Central Board. Other learned senior counsel as well as learned  counsel and parties­in­person have also addressed the Court.

History and instances of Demonetisation:

 

  1. Before proceeding to consider the rival contentions, it would be useful to delineate on the concept of demonetisation and  how  it  has been carried out, the world over as well as in India.
  • In prosaic terms, demonetisation is the process by which a nation’s economic unit of exchange loses its legally enforceable Currencies that are terminated through the process of demonetisation are no more legally considered exchanges and have no financial value. Demonetisation is therefore, the process of eliminating the lawful acceptance status of a monetary unit, by withdrawal of certain kinds or denominations of existing currency from circulation. The currency withdrawn may be supplanted with new currency.
  • The French were the first to use the term “Demonetise” in the years between the years 1850­1855. In world  history,  one  can see several  instances  of  demonetisations  as  many  countries have adopted the policy of Some instances of demonetisation globally, may be recorded as under:
  1. United States of America: One of the oldest examples of demonetisation may be found  in  the  United  States,  when the Coinage Act of  1873,  ordered  the  elimination  of  silver as legal tender in favour of the gold standard. Again, in the year 1969, to combat the existence of black money in the country and to restore the country’s economy, President Richard Nixon declared all currencies over $100 to be null.
  2. Britain: Before the year 1971, the currency of pound and penny used to be in circulation in Britain but to bring uniformity in currency, the government stopped circulation of old currency in 1971, and introduced coins of 5 and 10 pounds.
  3. Congo: Mobutu Sese Seko made some changes with respect to the currency in circulation in Congo, for the smooth running of its economy during the Nineties
  4. Ghana: In the year 1982, Ghana demonetised notes of 50 Cedis denomination to tackle tax evasion and empty excess liquidity
  5. Nigeria: Demonetisation was carried out during the government of Muhammadu Buhari in the year 1984, when Nigeria introduced new currency and banned old notes.
  1. Myanmar: In the year 1987, Myanmar’s  military invalidated around 80% of the value of money to curb black marketing.
  2. Russia (formerly U.S.S.R): In the year 1991, in an attempt to combat the parallel economy, 50 and 100 Ruble notes were removed from circulation under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev.
  3. Venezuela: In the year 2016, the Government of Venezuela demonetised 100 Bolívares notes on  11th  December,  2016, to achieve economic, monetary and price stability.
  4. Zimbabwe: In 2015, the Zimbabwean government chose to replace the Zimbabwe Dollar with the US Dollar in order to stabilize hyperinflation.

History of Demonetisation in India:

 

  1. The first demonetisation was carried out on 12th January 1946, To bring to realisation the first  demonetisation  that the country witnessed, an  Ordinance  was  promulgated  by the Government on 12th January, 1946. The Ordinance demonetised currency notes of Rs.500/­, Rs.1,000/­ and Rs.10,000/­ which were  in  circulation,  primarily  to  check the unaccounted hoarding of money, with a  directive  that they could be exchanged for re­issued bank notes, within ten days. The period of exchange was extended a number of times by both, the Bank and the Central Government. By the end of 1947, out of a total of Rs.143.97 crores of high denomination notes, notes of the value of Rs.134.9 crores had been exchanged. Thus, notes worth Rs.9.07  crores went out of circulation or not exchanged.
  • It is said that this exercise turned out to be more like a currency conversion drive as the government couldn’t achieve much profit in the cash­strapped economy at that time.
  1. The second demonetisation was carried out in the  year 1978, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Wanchoo Committee, appointed by the Central Government, to  recall the re­introduced 1,000/­, Rs.5,000/­ and Rs.10,000/­ notes, entirely from the cash system. The stated objective of such measure was  to  nullify  black  money  supposedly  held in high denomination currency notes. The government resorted to demonetisation of bank notes of denominations Rs.1,000/­, Rs.5,000/­, and Rs.10,000/­  notes  on  16th January, 1978, under the High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetisation) Ordinance, 1978 (No. 1 of  1978)  and people were allowed three days’ time  to  exchange  their notes. During this demonetisation exercise, out of a value of Rs.146 Crores demonetised notes, currency notes of value of Rs.124.45 Crores were exchanged and a sum of Rs.21.55 Crores, or 14.76% of the demonetised currency notes, were extinguished.
  1. It would be useful at this stage to discuss briefly the Acts of 1946 and 1978 and the impugned demonetisation having regard to  sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • The Ordinance of 12th January,  1946  stated  that  on  the  expiry of the 12th Day of January, 1946,  all  high  denomination  bank notes shall, notwithstanding anything contained in Section 26 of the Act, cease to be legal tender  in  payment  or  on account at any place in British India.  A provision  was  made for the exchange of the high denomination bank notes which had ceased to be  legal  tender,  with  bank  notes  of  the denominational value of Rs.100/­ which continued to be legal tender.
  • The High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetisation) Act, 1978 was enacted in public interest and provided demonetisation of certain high denomination bank notes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The said Act, inter­ alia, defined a high denomination bank note to be a bank note of the denominational value of 1,000/­, Rs.5,000/­ or Rs.10,000/­, issued by the Reserve Bank of India immediately before the commencement of the said Act.  The  said  Act  also stated in Section 3  that  on  the  expiry  of  the  16th  Day  of January, 1978, all high denomination bank notes shall,

notwithstanding anything contained in Section 26 of the Act, cease to be legal tender.

  • As noted earlier, the previous demonetisations were not carried out on the strength of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act inasmuch as both the legislations categorically stated that the demonetisation was “notwithstanding  anything  contained in Section 26 of the Act”. In fact, under the 1978 Act, one of the  objects  of  the  demonetisation  of  high  denomination  bank notes was that such notes facilitated illicit transfer of money for financial transactions which were harmful to  the  national economy or were used for illegal purposes and therefore, it was necessary in public  interest  to  demonetise  the  high denomination bank notes. The use of the non­obstante clause clearly indicates that the Central Government was not demonetising the currency  on  the  recommendation  of  the Central Board of  the  Bank  under  sub­section  (2)  of  Section  26 of the Act. In fact, this position is demonstrated by the fact that in   the   year   1978,   the   then   Central   Government   sought   an opinion of the Central Board of the Bank regarding the demonetisation of high denomination bank  notes. The  proposal for demonetisation arose from or was initiated by the Central Government which sought the opinion  of  the  Central  Board  of the Bank. Therefore,  the  proposal  for  demonetisation  initiated by the Central Government was  de  hors  sub­section  (2)  of Section 26 of the Act.
  • The fact that the non­obstante clause  found a  place in  Section 3 of the Ordinance of 1946  as  well  as  in  Section  3  of  the  1978 Act, would clearly  indicate  that  the  Central  Government,  in those cases, did not demonetise the  high  denomination  bank notes on the recommendation made by the Central Board of the Bank under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act  but on the other hand, the same was carried out de hors the said provision by plenary Hence, the Central Government which initiated the process chose the route through legislation for carrying out the demonetisation rather than by issuing an executive notification in the Gazette of India.
  • The above is in contrast with the issuance of the gazette notification dated 8th November, 2016, which was  followed  by the Ordinance of 2016 and then the  Act  of  2017  was  The said Act, inter alia, provides that the specified bank notes would cease to be the liability of the Reserve Bank of India or the Central Government.
  • The demonetisation carried out in the year 2016, of all series of bank notes of denomination 500/­ and  Rs.1,000/­  which forms the subject matter of the controversy at hand was, on the other hand, carried out by the Central Government by issuance of a notification in the Gazette of India on 8th November, 2016. For ease of reference, the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016 is extracted as under:

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(Department of Economic Affairs) NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 8th November, 2016

  • S.O. 3407(E). — Whereas, the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as the Board) has recommended  that bank notes of denominations of the existing series of the value of five hundred rupees and one thousand rupees (hereinafter referred to as specified bank notes) shall be ceased to be legal tender;
  • And whereas, it has been found that  fake currency notes of the specified bank notes have been largely in circulation and it has been found to be difficult to easily identify genuine bank notes from the fake ones and that the use of fake currency notes is causing adverse effect to the economy of the country;
  • And whereas, it has been found that high denomination bank notes are used for storage of unaccounted wealth as has been  evident  from  the large cash recoveries made by law enforcement agencies;
  • And whereas, it has also been found that fake currency is being used for financing subversive activities such as drug trafficking and terrorism, causing damage to the economy and security of the country and the Central Government after due consideration has decided to implement the recommendations of the Board;
  • Now, therefore, in exercise  of  the  powers conferred by sub­section (2) of section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby declares that the specified bank notes shall cease to be legal  tender with  effect  from the 9th November, 2016 to the extent specified below, namely: ­
  1. (1) Every banking company defined under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949) and every Government Treasury shall complete and forward a return showing the details of  specified  bank  notes held by it at the close of business as on the 8th November, 2016, not later than 13:00 hours on  the 10th November, 2016 to the  designated  Regional Office of the Reserve Bank of India  (hereinafter referred to as the Reserve Bank) in  the  format specified by it.
  2. (2) Immediately after forwarding the return referred to in sub­paragraph (1), the specified bank notes shall be remitted to the linked or nearest currency chest, or the branch or office of the Reserve Bank, for credit to their accounts.
  3. The specified bank notes held by a person other than a banking company referred to in sub­paragraph (1) of paragraph 1 or Government Treasury may be exchanged at any Issue Office of the Reserve Bank or any branch of public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks and State Cooperative Banks for a period up to and including the 30th December, 2016, subject to the following conditions, namely: —
  • the specified bank notes of aggregate value of 4,000/­ or below may be  exchanged  for any denomination of bank notes having legal tender character, with  a  requisition  slip  in the format specified by the Reserve Bank and proof of identity;
  • the limit of 4,000/­  for  exchanging specified bank notes shall be reviewed after fifteen days from the date of commencement of this notification and  appropriate  orders may be issued, where necessary;
  • there shall not be any  limit on the quantity or value of the specified bank notes to be credited to the account maintained with the bank by a person, where the specified bank notes are tendered; however, where compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms is not complete in an account, the maximum value of specified bank notes as may be deposited shall be 50,000/­;
  • the equivalent value of specified bank notes tendered may be credited to an account maintained by the tenderer at any bank in accordance with standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of Identity;
  • the equivalent value of specified bank notes tendered may be credited to a third­party account, provided specific authorisation therefor accorded by the third party is presented to the bank, following standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of identity of the person actually tendering;
  • cash withdrawal from a  bank  account  over the  counter  shall  be  restricted   to 10,000/­ per day  subject  to  an  overall limit of Rs.20,000/­ a week from the date of commencement of this notification until the end of business hours on 24th November, 2016, after which these limits shall be reviewed;
  • there shall be no  restriction  on  the  use  of any non­cash method  of  operating  the account of a person  including  cheques, demand drafts, credit or debit cards, mobile wallets and electronic fund transfer mechanisms or the like;
  • withdrawal from Automatic Teller Machines (hereinafter referred to as ATMs) shall be restricted to 2,000/­ per day  per  card  up to 18th November, 2016  and  the  limit  shall be raised  to  Rs.4,000/­  per  day  per  card from 19th November, 2016;
  • any person who is unable to exchange or deposit the specified  bank  notes  in  their bank accounts on or before  the  30th December, 2016, shall  be  given  an opportunity to do so at specified offices of the Reserve Bank or such other facility  until  a later date as may be specified by it.
  1. (1) Every banking company and every Government Treasury referred to in sub­paragraph
  • of paragraph 1 shall be closed for the transaction of all business on 9th November, 2016, except the preparation for implementing this scheme and remittance of the specified bank notes to nearby currency chests or the branches or offices of the Reserve Bank and receipt of bank notes having legal tender character.
  • All ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Cash Recyclers and any other machine used for receipt and payment of cash shall be shut on 9th and 10th November 2016,
  • Every bank referred to in sub­paragraph (1) of paragraph 1 shall recall the specified bank notes from ATMs and replace them with bank notes having legal tender character prior to reactivation of the machines on 11th November2016.
  • The sponsor banks  of  White  Label  ATMs shall be responsible to recall the specified bank notes from the White Label ATMs and replacing the  same with bank notes  having  legal  tender  character  prior to reactivation of the machines on 11th November 2016,
  • All banks referred to in sub­paragraph (1) of paragraph 1 shall ensure that their ATMs and White Label ATMs shall dispense bank notes of denomination of 100/­ or Rs.50/­, until further instructions from the Reserve Bank.
  • The banking company referred to in sub­ paragraph (1) of paragraph 1 and Government Treasuries shall resume their normal transactions from 10th November 2016.
  1. Every banking company  referred  to  sub­paragraph
  • of paragraph 1, shall at the close of business of each day starting from 10th November, 2016, submit to the Reserve Bank, a statement showing the details of specified bank notes exchanged by it in such format as may be specified by the Reserve Bank

[F.No.10/03/2016­Cy.I]

Dr. SAURABH GARG, Jt. Secy.”

(underlining by me)

 

The said Notification was thereafter followed by an Ordinance issued by the President on 30th December, 2016 and subsequently an Act of Parliament namely, the 2017 Act.

The Actual Controversy:

 

  1. The contention of the leaned senior counsel for the petitioners is two­fold: firstly, that sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act cannot be interpreted as having a very wide import as it would then be lacking in guidance and being unchanneled, would be arbitrary and in violation of Article 14, and hence, unconstitutional. It was further contended that if the provision has to be saved from being declared unconstitutional, then the same has to be “read down” which means that a restrictive interpretation must be given to the words of the provision. The second contention is with regard to the exercise of power by the Central Government by issuance of the Notification dated 8th November, 2016 and the manner in which such power was exercised and the procedure followed. The aforesaid two contentions shall be dealt with together as they are intertwined.

The Reserve Bank of India: Bulwark of the Indian Economy:

 

  1. Before considering the aforesaid two contentions, it would be useful to discuss the unique position that the Reserve Bank of India holds in the Indian holds in the Indian economy.
  • Shri Chidambaram cited a recent judgment of this Court in the case of Internet & Mobile Assn. of India vs. RBI (2020) 10 SCC 274 (“Internet and Mobile Assn. of India”) wherein one of us, Ramasubramanian, J. while dealing with the regulation   of    crypto­currency    and    virtual    currency    (VC) highlighted the importance of the Reserve Bank of India in the Indian economy. The salient observations made in the said judgment may be culled out as under:
  1. That the Bank, established for the objects spelt out under Section 3(1) of the Act, is vested with the duty to operate the monetary policy framework in India; take over the management of currency from the Central Government and carry on the business of banking, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
  2. That with a view to enable the Bank to perform the role spelt out above, the Act authorises it to carry on and transact businesses, as enlisted under Section 17 of  the Act; confers under Section 22, sole and exclusive right on the Bank to issue bank notes in India, except in relation to notes of denomination, 1; recognises under Section 26 (1) that every note issued by the Bank shall  be  a  legal tender; vests with the Central Board of the Bank the power to recommend to the Central Government to declare  any series of Bank notes of any denomination,  to  cease  to  be legal tender, under Section 26  (2)  of  the  Act;  prohibits under Section  38  any  money  from  being  put  into circulation by the Central Government, except through the In short, it was held that the  operation/regulation  of the credit/financial system of the country rests, almost entirely, on the Bank.
  1. That the Bank is the sole repository of power for the management of currency in As regards the nature, amplitude and inalienability of the power that the Bank wields in the field of currency management, it was observed that what the Bank can do in  this  regard,  the  executive acting de­hors the aid of the  Bank,  is  not  adequately equipped to do. Recognising the importance of  the  role played by the Bank in matters pertaining to currency management, this Court declared that any observations/recommendations made by the Bank to the Central Government  in  this  regard,  have  to  be  accorded due deference. The pertinent observations of the  Court  on this aspect have been usefully extracted hereinunder:
  • 192. But as we have pointed out above, RBI is not just any other statutory authority. It is not like a stream which cannot be greater than the source. The RBI Act, 1934 is a pre­constitutional legislation, which survived the Constitution by virtue of Article 372(1) of the Constitution. The difference between other statutory creatures and RBI is that what the statutory creatures can do, could as well be done by the executive. The power conferred upon the delegate in other statutes can be tinkered with, amended or even withdrawn. But the power conferred upon RBI under Section 3(1) of the RBI Act, 1934 to take over the management of the currency from the Central Government, cannot be taken away. The sole right to issue Bank notes in India, conferred by Section 22(1) cannot also be taken away and conferred upon any other Bank or authority. RBI by virtue of its authority, is a member of the Bank of International Settlements, which position cannot be taken over by the Central Government and conferred upon any other authority. Therefore, to say that it is just like any other statutory authority whose decisions cannot invite due deference, is to do violence to the scheme of the Act. In fact, all countries  have Central Banks/authorities, which, technically have independence from the Government of the country. To ensure such independence, a fixed tenure is granted to the Board of Governors, so that they are not bogged down by political expediencies. In the United States of America, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve is the second most powerful person next only to the President. Though the President appoints the seven­member Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Senate, each of them is appointed for a fixed tenure of fourteen years. Only one among those seven is appointed as Chairman for a period of four years. As a result of the fixed tenure of 14 years, all the members of Board of Governors survive in office more than three Governments. Even the European Central Bank headquartered in Frankfurt has a President, Vice­President and four members, appointed for a period of eight years in consultation with the European Parliament. Worldwide, central authorities/Banks are ensured an independence, but unfortunately Section 8(4) of the RBI Act, 1934 gives a tenure not exceeding five years, as the Central Government may fix at the time of appointment. Though the shorter tenure and the choice given to the Central Government to fix the tenure, to some extent, undermines the ability of the incumbents of office to be absolutely independent, the statutory scheme nevertheless provides for independence to the institution as such. Therefore, we do not accept the argument that a policy decision taken by RBI does not warrant any deference.”
  1. This Court acknowledged the pivotal position of the Bank in the economy of the That the powers of  the  Bank, may be exercised by way of preventive as well as curative measures. That such powers may be exercised to take pre­ emptive action. However, such measures  must  be proportional and must be prompted by  some semblance of any damage suffered by its regulated entities. The relevant observations have been reproduced as under:
  • 224. It is no doubt true that RBI has very wide powers not only in view of the statutory scheme of the three enactments indicated earlier, but also in view of the special place and role that it has in the economy of the country. These powers can be exercised both in the form of preventive as well as curative measures. But the availability of power is different from the manner and extent to which it can be exercised. While we have recognised elsewhere in this order, the power of RBI to take a pre­emptive action, we are testing in this part of the order the proportionality of such measure, for the determination of which RBI needs to show at least some semblance of any damage suffered by its regulated entities. But there is none. When the consistent stand of RBI is that they have not banned VCs and when the Government of India is unable to take a call despite several committees coming up with several proposals including two draft Bills, both of which advocated exactly opposite positions, it is not possible for us to hold that the impugned measure is proportionate.”
  • Shri Jaideep Gupta appearing for the Bank has brought to our notice the following decisions to emphasize on the importance of the Reserve Bank of India:
  1. In Joseph Kuruvilla Vellukunnel vs. The Reserve Bank of India AIR 1962 SC 1371, this Court observed  that  the most   important   function   of   the   Bank   is   to   regulate   the banking   system.   The   Bank   has   been   described   as   a Banker’s Bank. Under the Act, the scheduled  banks maintain certain balances and the  Bank  can  lend assistance to those banks as a “lender of the last resort”. The Bank has also been given certain advisory and regulatory functions, but in its position as a central bank, it acts as an agency for collecting financial information and statistics. The Bank is also entrusted with the role of advising the Government and other banks on financial and banking matters, and for this purpose,  the  Bank  keeps itself informed of the activities and monetary position of scheduled and other banks and inspects the books and accounts of Scheduled banks and advises the Government after inspection of the said books and accounts as to whether a particular bank should be  included  in  the Second Schedule or not. That the Bank has been created as a  central  bank  with  powers  of  supervision,  advice  and inspection, over banks, particularly those desiring to be included in the Second Schedule or those already included in the Schedule. The Reserve Bank thus, safeguards the economy and the financial stability of the country. This Court in the said case also sounded a caveat in stating that it cannot be said that the Reserve Bank can never act mistakenly or even negligently.
  2. Subsequently, in Peerless    General    Finance     and Investment    Ltd.  vs.  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (1992)  2 SCC 343 this Court once again recognized the status of the Reserve Bank in the Indian economy. In the  said  case  it was observed that the Reserve Bank of India is a Banker’s Bank and a creature of statute. That the Reserve Bank of India has a large contingent of expert advice relating to the matters affecting the economy of the entire country. It was further observed that the Reserve Bank has an important role in the economy and financial affairs of India and one of its many important functions is to regulate the banking system in the country.
  • The aforesaid discussion is relevant for the purpose of interpreting sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. The said provision clearly states that it is only on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank, that  any series  of  bank  notes  of any denomination shall be declared to have ceased to be legal tender.

Economic/Fiscal Policies: Interference by Courts

 

  • Before proceeding to interpret the said provision, it would be necessary to consider another aspect of the matter which has been emphasized by the learned Attorney General, e., with regard to the Court’s deference to the economic and monetary policies of the government and restraint that the Court must exercise in interfering with the said policies, unless the same are so irrational or unreasonable, so as to be declared to be unconstitutional.
  • The above submission was made in the context of the contention of the petitioners, that the decision­making process in the present case was deeply flawed as it was contrary to the scheme and procedure contained in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act and hence, this Court may review the same and declare it to be in contravention, inter­alia, of statutory provisions of the Act. The aforesaid contention was vehemently opposed by learned Attorney General who submitted that courts cannot sit in judgment over economic policy matters of the Government. In this regard the following discussions could be made.

Judicial Review of Economic Policy:

 

  • The Indian judiciary has consistently exercised restraint with regard to judicial review of policy decisions. A few instances on which such restraint has been demonstrated, have been discussed as under:
  • In this regard reliance was placed by the learned Attorney General on a judgment of this Court in State  of  Tamil Nadu National South Indian River Interlinking Agriculturist Association 2021 SCC OnLine SC 1114.
  • In Rustom Cavasjee Cooper vs. Union of India AIR 1970 SC 565 (“Bank Nationalization Case”) it was observed that this Court was not the forum where conflicting policy claims may be debated; it is only required to adjudicate the legality of a measure which has little to do with relative merits of different political and economic theories.
  • This Court in the case of State of  P.  vs.  Nandlal Jaiswal  (1986)  4  SCC  566 observed  that  the  Government, as laid down in Permian Basin Area Rate Cases, 20 L Ed (2d) 312, is entitled to make pragmatic adjustments which may be called for by particular circumstances. The court cannot strike down a policy decision taken  by  the Government merely because it feels that another policy decision  would  have  been  fairer or wiser or more scientific or logical. That courts could interfere only if the  policy decision is patently arbitrary, discriminatory or mala fide.
  • In Peerless General Finance and Investment Ltd. vs. RBI (1992) 2 SCC 343, this  Court  dithered  to  indulge  itself with matters involving domains of the executive and the legislature concerning economic policy or directions given by Reserve Bank of India. This Court observed that it is unbecoming of judicial institutions to interfere with economic policy which is the prerogative of the Government, in consultation with experts in the field and that it is not the function of the courts to sit in judgment over matters of economic policy and it must necessarily be left to the expert bodies.
  • The validity of the decision of the Government  to  grant licence under the Telegraph Act, 1885 to non­government companies for establishing, maintaining and working of telecommunication system of the country pursuant to government policy of   privatisation   of   telecommunications was challenged in Delhi Science Forum vs. Union  of India AIR 1996 SC 1356. It was contended that telecommunications   were   a   sensitive   service   which   should always  be  within  the  exclusive  domain  and  control  of  the Central Government and  under  no  situation  should  be parted with by way of grant of license to non­government companies and private bodies. While  rejecting  this contention, this Court observed that:
  • “… The national policies in respect of economy, finance, communications, trade, telecommunications and others have to be decided by Parliament and the representatives of the people on the floor of Parliament can challenge and question any such policy adopted by the ruling Government ”
  • The reluctance of the court  to  judicially  examine  the  merits of economic policy was again emphasised in Bhavesh Parish vs. Union and India (2000) 5 SCC 471. This Court opined that in the context of the changed economic scenario  the  expertise  of  people  dealing  with  the  subject should not be lightly interfered with. The consequences of such an interdiction can have large­scale ramifications and can put the clock back for a number of years. That  in dealing  with  economic  legislations,  this  Court,  while  not jettisoning its jurisdiction to curb arbitrary action or unconstitutional legislation, should interfere only in those few cases where the view reflected in the legislation is not possible to be taken at all.
  • Buttressing the same aspect, in Balco Employees’ Union (Regd) vs. Union of India AIR 2002 SC 350, it was held that in a democracy, it is the prerogative of each elected Government to  follow  its  own  policy.  This  Court  observed that often  a change  in Government may result in the  shift in focus or change in economic policies and any  such change may result in adversely affecting some vested interests. Unless any illegality is committed  in  the execution of the policy or the same is contrary to law or malafide, a decision bringing about change cannot per se be interfered with by the court.
  • In Directorate of Film Festivals vs. Gaurav Ashwin Jain AIR 2007 SC 1640, it was observed that the scope of judicial review of governmental policy is now well defined and   the   courts   do   not   and cannot act as Appellate Authorities examining the correctness, suitability and appropriateness of a policy. This Court was also of the view that Courts are not Advisors to the executive on matters of policy which the executive is entitled to formulate, thus, the scope of judicial review when examining a policy of the government is to check whether it violates the fundamental rights of the citizens or is opposed to the provisions of the Constitution, or opposed to any statutory provision or manifestly arbitrary. It was thus held that  the  Courts cannot interfere with policy either on the ground that it is erroneous or on the ground that a better, fairer or wiser alternative is available. Legality of the policy, and not the wisdom or soundness of the policy, is the subject of judicial review.
  • In the case of DDA vs. Joint Action Committee, Allottee of SFS Flats AIR 2008 SC 1343, the Supreme Court held as under:
  • “An executive order termed as a policy decision is not beyond the pale of judicial review. Whereas the superior courts may not interfere with the nitty­gritty of the policy, or substitute one by the other but it will not be correct to contend that the court shall lay its judicial hands off, when a plea is raised that the impugned  decision  is  a  policy decision. Interference therewith on the part of the superior court would  not  be  without  jurisdiction  as it is subject to judicial review.”

“Broadly, a policy decision is subject to judicial review on the following grounds:

  • if it is unconstitutional;
  • if it is dehors the provisions of the Act and the regulations;
  • if the delegate has acted  beyond  its  power of delegation;
  • if the executive policy is contrary to the statutory or a larger policy ”

 

  • In Small Scale Industrial Manufacturers Association (Regd.)  vs.   Union   of   India   (2021)   8   SCC   511,   a   writ petition was preferred under Article 32 of the Constitution of   India   by   the   Small­Scale   Industrial   Manufactures Association, Haryana for an appropriate writ, direction or order directing the Union of India and others to take effective and remedial measures to redress the financial strain faced by the industrial sector, particularly, MSMEs due to the COVID­19 pandemic. This Court while considering the submissions of the parties on the issue of whether economic and/or policy decisions taken by the Government in their executive capacity are amenable to the jurisdiction of courts, held that it was the legality of the policy, and not the wisdom or soundness of the policy, that can be the subject of judicial review. This Court observed that courts do not play an advisory role to Government and economic policy decisions should be left to experts. This Court observed that it is not normally within the domain of any Court to weigh the pros and cons of the policy or to scrutinize it and test the degree of its beneficial or equitable disposition for the purpose of varying, modifying or annulling it, based on howsoever sound and  good reasoning. It is only when a policy is arbitrary and violative of any Constitutional, statutory or any other provisions of law, that the Courts can interfere.
  • What emerges from an understanding of the decisions referred to above on the subject of judicial review of economic policy may be culled out as under:
  1. That the court is not to sit in judgment over the merits of economic or financial policy;
  2. That the scope of interference by a court is limited to instances where the impugned scheme or legislation in the economic arena has been enacted in violation of any Constitutional or statutory provisions;
  3. That the court may not undertake a foray into the merits, demerits, sufficiency or lack thereof, success in realising the objectives , of an economic policy, as such an analysis is the prerogative of the Government in consultation with experts in the field.
  4. Being mindful of the limited scope of judicial review permissible in matters concerning economic  policy  decisions,  I  shall  limit my examination of the matter to such extent as is necessary for the purpose of determining whether the  process  concluding  in the issuance of the  impugned  notification  was  correct  or  as being contrary to sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the  Act  and allied aspects of the It may be stated at this juncture that the said aspect of the matter is not one of form but of substance. Therefore, examining this aspect  of  the  matter would  not  amount  to  interfering  with,  or  sitting  in  judgment over the merits of the policy of demonetisation, and is therefore well within the limits of the Lakshmanrekha that this Court has carefully drawn for itself.
  1. Bearing in mind the important role played by the Bank  in shaping the economy of the country, and also the principle that the Constitutional Courts should refrain from interfering in financial and economic policy decisions of the government unless such policies are so irrational as to warrant interference and also having regard to the provisions of the Constitution, the relevant statutes, and considerations of public interest, the two contentions raised by the petitioners shall now be considered in analysing and interpreting Section 26 (2) of the Act.

Section 26 of the Act: Interpretation:

 

  1. With a view to lend perspective to the  discussion  to  follow,  a bird’s eye view of my analysis and conclusions has been expressed in a tabular form as under:
Sl.

No.

Parameters for distinction When    the    proposal      for demonetisation originates                by    way      of      a recommendation    by    the Central      Board      of     the

Bank:

When the proposal for demonetisation originates       from       the Central Government:
1 . Role      of      the Central Government The Central Government may  on  consideration  of the                                   Bank’s

recommendation,     accept the same and act on such acceptance by issuing a notification in the Gazette of India declaring    that    “any”    series

of  “any”  denomination  has

ceased  to  be  legal  tender;

or

the Central Government is also free to decide in its wisdom that it is not expedient to accept the recommendation of  the Bank to declare that “any” series              of              “any” denomination  has   ceased to be legal tender. In the event               that               the recommendation is  not

accepted, no further action is required to be taken    by    the    Central

Government.

The Central Government initiates the proposal for demonetisation. It consults the Bank on the same and seeks the Bank’s advice. On receiving the Bank’s advice/opinion on the proposed measure, the Central Government shall consider the same.

Consultation with the Central Board of the Bank does not mean concurrence.                The Central      Government      is

free  to  give  effect  to  its

proposal                            for

demonetisation, notwithstanding             the opinion of the Bank.

Sl.

No.

Parameters for distinction When    the    proposal      for demonetisation originates                by    way      of      a recommendation    by    the Central      Board      of     the

Bank:

When the proposal for demonetisation originates       from       the Central Government:
2 . Role      of     the Bank The Central Board of the Bank               makes               a recommendation to the Central Government to declare that “any” series of “any” denomination has ceased to be legal tender. The Central Government consults the Bank seeking advice on its proposal to carry out demonetisation.            The Bank is bound to render its independent advice and opinion on the

same.

3 . Extent              of demonetisation that may be proposed and carried out Demonetisation of “any” series              of              “any” denomination, has been interpreted to mean “specified”    series    of

“specified” denomination. Otherwise, it       would    be    a    case           of excessive vesting of powers with the Bank which would be               arbitrary         and

unconstitutional.

“All” series of “all” denominations may be declared at once, to have ceased to be legal tender having regard to the situation faced by the

Central Government.

4 . Considerations for proposed measure          of demonetisation (Illustrative) i)          To promote general health of the Country’s economy;

ii)        Fiscal                       policy

considerations;

iii)      Monetary                                   policy considerations.

 

Considerations             which could guide the Bank’s recommendation               are limited or narrow in compass.

i)         Sovereignty              and Integrity of India;

ii)       Security of the State;

iii)     To promote general health           of           the Country’s economy;

iv)     Other      aspects       of

governance.

 

Considerations          which could guide the Central Government’s proposal to carry out demonetisation

are broad or wide.

5 . Process/Route

to be  followed

Issuance   of   a   Notification

in    the    Gazette    of    India,

Enactment             of            a

Parliamentary

Sl.

No.

Parameters for distinction When    the    proposal      for demonetisation originates                by    way      of      a recommendation    by    the Central      Board      of     the

Bank:

When the proposal for demonetisation originates       from       the Central Government:
to     carry     out demonetisation indicating  therein   that “any” specified series of “any”                                     specified denomination  has   ceased to be legal  tender,  from such date as specified in

the Notification.

Legislation, which may or may not be preceded by an Ordinance issued by the President of India.
6 . Applicability of sub­section (2) of section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 Notification issued by the Central Government, giving effect to the Bank’s recommendation, shall be on the strength of sub­ section (2) of section 26 of the Act. Sub­section (2) of section

26 of the Act is not applicable.

Hence, a  notification  in the Gazette of India is not the manner in which demonetisation is to be carried out, when the proposal for the same originates from the

Central Government.

  • Section 26 of the Act deals with legal tender of Sub­ section (1) of Section 26 declares that every bank note shall be a legal tender at any place in India in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government. There are two aspects to this provision: the first is, every bank note shall be a legal tender in any place in India and, secondly, that the Central Government shall guarantee the amount expressed on the bank note. The expression “bank note” is defined in Section 2 (aiv) of the Act to mean, a bank note issued by the Bank whether in  physical  or digital form, under Section 22 of the Act. Section 22 of the Act categorically states that the  Bank  has  the  sole  right  to  issue bank notes in India, on the  recommendations  of  the  Central Board of the Bank. The provision further provides that the Bank has the sole right to issue currency notes of the Government of India. The provisions of the Act would be applicable in a like manner, to  all  currency  notes  of  the  Government  of  India, issued either by the Central Government or  by  the  Bank,  as  if such currency notes were bank notes.
  • Further, it is only on the recommendation  of  the  Central  Board of the Bank that the Central Government  may  direct  the  non­ issue or discontinuation of the issue of bank notes of such denominational value as it may specify in this Even the design, form and material of bank notes has to be approved by the Central Government, after considering the recommendations made by the Central Board of  the Bank. Thus,  the scheme of the Act envisages that the issuance of the bank notes, the various denominations of the bank notes, the  design  and  form  of  the bank notes, are all to be  specified  by  the  Central  Government only on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank. Therefore, on perusal of Sections 24, 25 and 26 of the Act, it is observed that it is only on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank that the Central Government would act qua the aforestated matters, on the strength of the respective provisions. It need not be emphasised that the Bank, being the only institution, which carries out the function of currency management and formulates credit rules in the country, is recognised as having a say  in the issuance of currency  notes, and also in specifying the denominations of the notes, as well as the design and form of the bank notes.
  • Further, although, sub­section (1) of Section 26 states that every Bank note shall be legal tender at any place in India, it acquires legal sanctity because the Central Government has guaranteed the bank note which has legal tender. Thus, a bank note statutorily has dual characteristics when it is issued by the Bank, namely, being a legal tender coupled with the guarantee of the Central Government and the said qualities go hand in This would mean that it is only when the Bank which has the sole right to issue a currency note in India, issues the note and the same has been guaranteed by the Central Government, that such a note is legal tender. Therefore,  the  Issue Department of the Bank is not subject to any liabilities other than the liabilities under Section 34 of the Act. Section 34 of the Act states that an amount equal to the total of the amount of the currency notes of the Government of India and bank notes for the time being in circulation, would  be  the  liability  of  the Issue Department. This would imply that as  long  as  the  bank notes issued by the Bank are in circulation, the liability of the Government of India would continue. The said liability is owing to the guarantee given  by  the  Central  Government  in  sub­ section (1) of Section 26 which is in the nature of a statutory guarantee.
  • While considering sub­section (1) of Section 26 of the  Act,  the first question that would arise  is,  whether,  a  bank  note  which has ceased to be a legal tender on the issuance of a notification by the Central Government would also cease  to  have  the guarantee of the Central  In  other  words,  whether the guarantee by the  Central  Government,  would  continue despite the bank note ceasing to be a legal tender. The answer is in the affirmative, for, a  bank  note  may  cease  to  be  a  legal tender between citizens but cannot cease  to  have  the  guarantee of the Central Government, so long as the liability of the Issue Department continues. The liability of  the  Issue  Department  of the Bank is co­extensive with the time  period  within  which  a bank note which has ceased to be a legal tender is exchanged at a notified bank. It is because of this reason that a bank note of any denomination which is demonetised or is declared to have ceased to be a legal tender, can be exchanged as indicated in the notification issued by the Central Government so that the bearer of the bank note receives an equivalent amount as that expressed in the note which has ceased to be a legal tender or demonetised. Therefore, even though such demonetised currency would cease to be legal tender, the same could be exchanged in a bank specified by the Reserve Bank owing to the guarantee of the Central Government. If the guarantee of the Central Government ceases on demonetisation, then the same cannot be exchanged by the bearer of such bank notes. This has also been the argument of learned senior counsel  Shri Shyam Divan.
  • Sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act states that on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank, the Central Government may, by notification in the Gazette of India, declare that with effect from such date as specified  in  the  notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be a legal tender, save at such office or  agency  of  the  Bank  and  to such extent as may be specified in the said    The Central Government derives the power to issue a notification in the Gazette only on the recommendation of the Central Board  of the Bank. The issuance of such a notification is an executive act which is backed by the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank which has been accepted by the Central Government. The notification has to indicate the date from which any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be a legal tender, save at such office and to such extent as may  be specified in the notification.
  • The essential ingredients of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act can be epitomised as under:
  1. on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank;
  2. the Central Government by notification  in  the  Gazette of India;
  3. may declare any series of bank notes of any denomination to cease to be legal tender;
  4. with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification;
  5. to such extent as may be specified in the notification;
  • Therefore, under sub­section (2) of  Section  26  of  the Act, the Central Government would act only on the recommendation made by the Central Board of the Bank, which is the initiator of demonetisation of bank notes.
  • Learned Attorney General made  a  pertinent  submission  that  it is not necessary that only on a recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank, the Central Government can demonetise any currency. That the Central Government has the power or jurisdiction to demonetise any bank note by the issuance of a gazette notification. He further contended that the powers of the Central Government cannot be denuded to such an extent that unless and until a recommendation of the Central Board of  the Bank is made to the Central Government, the latter cannot demonetise any  currency.  According  to  learned  Attorney General, if such a strict interpretation is given to sub­section (2) of Section 26, it would nullify the power of  the  Central Government to demonetise any bank note, having regard to the economic conditions of the country, the financial health of the economy and the monetary policy of the Government. It was submitted that the provision  must  be  so  interpreted  so  as  to give a free play in the joints and  empower  the  Central Government to issue a notification in the  Gazette  of  India,  in order to demonetise any bank note.  He  further  contended  that the requirement of recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank in order to enable the Central Government to issue a notification to demonetise any currency would imply that the initiation of demonetisation  must  only  be  from  the  Central Board of the Bank and that  the  Central  Government  has  no power to initiate such an action of demonetisation.
  • I find considerable force in the contention of the learned Attorney General inasmuch as the Central Government cannot be said to be without powers in initiating demonetisation of bank notes. This is on the strength of Entry 36 of List I of the Seventh Schedule of the The Central Government is not just concerned with the financial health of the country as well as its economy, but it is also concerned with the sovereignty and integrity of India; the security of the State; the defence of the country; its friendly relations with foreign countries; internal and external security and various other aspects of governance. On the other hand, the Bank is only concerned with the regulation of currency notes, monetary policy framework, maintaining price stability and allied matters. Therefore, if the Central Government is of the considered opinion that in order to meet certain objectives such as the ones stated in the impugned notification, namely, to eradicate black money, fake currency, terror funding etc., it is necessary to demonetise the currency notes in circulation, then the Central Government may initiate a proposal for demonetisation.
  • The second prong of the Learned Attorney General’s contention qua the interpretation of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act was that the Central Government has the power to  demonetise not just any one series of currency of any one denomination but it has the power to demonetise all series of currencies of all denominations at a time. It was argued that the  expression “any” in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act must mean “all”. Per contra, it was the submission of the learned senior counsel for the petitioners that, as the said provision stands, in the absence of there being any guidance vis­à­vis the power of the Central Government to issue a notification to demonetise the currency notes in circulation and in order to save such measure from the vice of unconstitutionality, the expression “any series” and “any denomination” in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act must be restricted to mean “one series” and “one denomination”, Otherwise, it could result in arbitrary exercise of power. He further contended that if sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is not read down in this context, it would confer unguided and arbitrary power on the executive Government and it would amount to impermissible delegation of legislative powers.
  • It was further contended by Shri Chidambaram that demonetisation is resorted to in rare and exceptional circumstances and there are two justifiable reasons for which demonetisation could be resorted to, namely,
  1. to weed out denominations of currency that are in disuse or are practically unusable;
  2. to get rid of currency which has become worthless in value because of
  • According to learned senior counsel for the petitioners, if any demonetisation of currency has to take place, and if the power of the Central Government is not channelised or restricted by reading down sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, it would result in arbitrariness and unconstitutionality. Therefore, to save it from the vice of arbitrariness and unconstitutionality, it is necessary to read down the provision in the following two respects:
  1. the Central Government has no power to demonetise any currency note except on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank under  sub­section  (2)  of  Section  26  of the Act, and;
  2. the expression “any” in sub­section (2) of  Section  26 of the Act must be restricted to be “any one”, that is, “one series” or “one denomination” of bank   That  the  addition  of the words “any series” before the words  “of  bank  notes  of any denomination” limits the power of the Government to declare only a specified series of notes as no longer being a legal tender. Thus, “any series” means any specified series and not “all series” of notes of a given denomination.
  • Since I have accepted the contention of the learned Attorney General appearing for Union of India vis­à­vis the power of the Central Government for initiating the process of demonetisation, the next question would be, whether, the Central Government can, on initiating the process of demonetisation, proceed to issue a gazette notification to demonetise any or all series of any or all denomination of bank notes, on the strength of sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. Consideration of this issue would also answer the contention of learned senior counsel for the petitioners regarding sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act being unguided and arbitrary in nature and hence, To this end, the following aspects have to be examined:
  • Whether demonetisation can be initiated and carried but by the Central Government by issuing a notification  in  the Gazette of India as per sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act?
  • Extent of the Central Government’s power to carry out demonetisation, e., whether “all series” of “all denominations” may be demonetised.
  • As held hereinabove, the proposal for demonetisation  can emanate either from  the  Central  Government  or  from  the Central Board of the It  is  however  necessary  to  contrast the proposal for demonetisation initiated by the Central Government, with that initiated  by  the  Central  Board  of  the Bank. When the Central Board of the Bank recommends demonetisation, it is in my view, only for a particular  series  of bank notes of a particular denomination as specified in the recommendation made under  sub­section  (2)  of  Section  26  of the Act. The word “any” in  sub­section  (2)  of  Section  26 cannot be read to mean “all”. If read as “specified” or “particular”  as against all, in my view, it would not suffer from arbitrariness or suffer from unguided discretion being given to the Central Board of the Bank.
  • On the other hand, in my view,  the  Central  Government has the power to demonetise all series of bank notes of all denominations, if the need for such a measure arises. It cannot be restricted in such powers in such manner as the Central Board of the Bank is, under the above provision. This is because such power is not exercised under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act but is exercised notwithstanding the said provision by the Central Government. Therefore, demonetisation of bank notes at the behest of the Central Government is a far more serious issue having wider ramifications on the economy and on the citizens, as compared to demonetisation of bank notes of a given series of a given denomination on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank  by  issuance  of  a  gazette notification by the Central Government.
  • Therefore, in my considered view, the powers of the Central Government being vast, the same have to be exercised  only through a plenary legislation or a legislative  process  rather than by an executive act by the  issuance  of  a  notification  in  the Gazette of India. It is necessary  that  the  Parliament  which consists of the representatives of the People of this country, discusses the matter and thereafter approves and supports the implementation of the scheme of demonetisation.
  • The Central Government, as already noted above, could have several compulsions for initiating demonetisation of the bank notes already in circulation in the economy, and it could do so even in the absence of a recommendation, as per sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, of the Central Board of the Bank. On its proposal to demonetise the bank notes, the advice/opinion of the Central Board of the Bank which has to be consulted may not always be in support of the proposal of the Central Government as in the year 1978. The Central Board of the Bank may give a negative opinion or a concurring In either of the situations, the Central Government may proceed to demonetise the bank notes but only through a legislative process, either through an Ordinance followed by a legislation, if the Parliament is not in session; or by a plenary legislation before the Parliament and depending upon the passage of the Bill as an Act, carry out its proposal of demonetisation.  Of course, depending upon the urgency of the situation and possibly to maintain secrecy, the option of issuance of an Ordinance by the President of India and the subsequent enactment of a law is always available to the Central Government by convening the Parliament. Such demonetisation of currency notes at the instance of the Central Government cannot be by the issuance of an executive notification. The reasons for stating so are not far to see –
  • Firstly, because the Central Government is not acting under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the When the Central Government initiates the process of demonetisation it is de hors sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • Secondly, the Central Government has the power to demonetise all series of bank notes of all denominations unlike the narrower powers vested with the Central Board of the Bank under the aforesaid provision, if the situation so arises.
  • Thirdly, the Parliament which is the fulcrum in our democratic system of governance, must be taken into This is because it is the representative  of  the  people  of  the  Country.  It is the pivot of any democratic country and in it rest the interests of the citizens of the Country. The Parliament enables its citizens to participate in the decision­making process of the government. A Parliament is often referred to as a “nation in miniature”; it is the basis  for  democracy.  A  Parliament provides representation to the people of a country  and  makes their voices heard. Without a Parliament, a democracy cannot thrive; every democratic country needs a Parliament for the smooth conduct of its governance and to give meaning to democracy in the true sense. The Parliament which  is  at  the centre of our democracy cannot be left aloof in a matter of such importance. Its views on the  subject  of  demonetisation  are critical and of utmost importance.
  • Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap in his book, “Parliamentary Procedure: Law, Privileges, Practice and Precedents”, 3rd Ed., (2014), while discussing the functions of the Parliament has stated as follows:
  • “Over the years, the functions of Parliament have no longer remained restricted merely to legislating. Parliament has, in fact emerged as a multi­functional institution encompassing in its ambit various roles viz. developmental, financial and administrative surveillance, grievance ventilation and redressal, national integrational, conflict resolution, leadership recruitment and training, educational and so on. The multifarious functions of Parliament make it the cornerstone on which  the edifice of Indian polity stands and evokes admiration from many a quarter.”
  • It is in the above context that it is observed that on a matter as critical as demonetisation, having a bearing  on nearly 86% of the total currency in circulation, the same could not have been carried out by way of issuance of an executive notification. A meaningful discussion and debate in the Parliament on the proposed measure, would have lent legitimacy to the exercise.
  • When an Ordinance is issued or a Bill is introduced in the Parliament and enacted as a law, it would mean that it has been done by taking into confidence the Members of Parliament who are the representatives of the people of India, who would meaningfully discuss on the  proposal  for  demonetisation  made by the Central Government. In such an event,  demonetisation would be by an Act of Parliament and not a measure carried out by the issuance of a gazette notification  by  the  Central Government in exercise of its executive power.
  • Such demonetisation through an Ordinance or a legislation through the Parliament would be “notwithstanding what is contained in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act”. This is because in such a situation, the Central Government  is  not acting on the basis of a recommendation received from the Central Board of the Bank but it would be proposing the demonetisation. Precedent for the same may be found in the earlier demonetisations which were also through a legislative process and not through the issuance of a  gazette  notification by the Executive/Central Government. When the process of demonetisation is carried out through a Parliamentary enactment and after being the subject of scrutiny by the Members of Parliament, any opinion sought by the Central Government from the Central Board of the Bank  before initiating the promulgation of the Ordinance or placing the Bill before the Parliament may also be additional material which could be considered by the Parliament. When the Central Government initiates the proposal for demonetisation and thereafter consults the Bank on such proposal, then it could be said that the necessary safeguards were taken, as the Central Government would be fortified in its proposal for demonetisation having taken the advice of not only an expert body but the highest financial authority in the country, which handles not only the monetary policy but is also the sole authority vested with the power of issuance of bank notes or currency notes in India. When  the  Central  Government  proposes  to  demonetise the currency notes, not only the view of the Central Board of the Bank is relevant and important but also  that  of  the representatives of the people in the Parliament. The Members of the Parliament hold the sovereign powers of “We, the People of India” in trust.
  • Of course, by contrast, there would be no  difficulty  if  the proposal for demonetisation is initiated by the Central Board of the Bank by making a recommendation under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, which the  Central  Government  in  its wisdom may consider and either act upon the recommendation or for good reason, decline to act on the That is a matter left to the wisdom of the Central Government. However, as noted above such recommendation by the Bank cannot relate to “all” series of a denomination or “all” series of “all” denominations of bank notes. That is  a  prerogative  of  only  the  Central Government.
  • It is nobody’s case that the impugned gazette  notification  dated 8th November, 2016, of  the  Central  Government  was  published on the initiation of  the  proposal  of  demonetisation  by  the Central Board of the Bank. The proposal for demonetisation was initiated by the Central Government by a letter dated  7th November, 2016 addressed by the Finance Secretary to the Governor of the Bank.  The  Central  Government,  having “obtained” the advice of the Bank on its proposal, proceeded to issue the impugned gazette notification on the  very  next  day, dated 8th November, 2016. The same was followed  by  an Ordinance and thereafter, an enactment was passed.
  • The contention of the petitioners could now be considered and The words in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act would have to be interpreted/construed  in  their  normal parlance. It is already observed that  issuance  of  such  a notification under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act must be preceded by a recommendation of the Central Board  of  the Bank and such recommendation is a condition precedent. The Central Government in its wisdom may accept  the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank and issue a notification in the Gazette of India or  it  may  decline  to  do  so. This position is evident from the use of the word “may” in sub­ section (2) to Section 26 of the Act. However, what is significant is that if demonetisation of any bank note is to take place under sub­section (2)  of Section  26 of the  Act, it  is  only  by issuance  of a notification in the Gazette of  India  and  not  by  any  other method or manner. In other  words,  the  Central  Board  of  the Bank must first initiate the process by recommending to  the Central Government to declare that any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to  be  a  legal  tender  by  the issuance of a notification. If the Central Government accepts the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank, it issues a notification  in  the  Gazette of India carrying out the  same,  which is in the nature of  an  executive  function and  the  publication of the notification in the Gazette of India is only a ministerial act.
  • Therefore, under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, the initiation of the process of demonetisation and the exercise of power originates from the Central Board of the Bank which has to recommend to the Central Government and the latter may accept the recommendation  and in  such  event it would issue a gazette notification. In case the Central Government does not accept the recommendation, there will be no further action on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank. Thus, sub­section (2) of the Section 26 of the Act has inherently a very restricted operation, and is limited only to the initiation of demonetisation by the Central Board of the Bank and making a recommendation in that regard. Issuance of the notification, in the Gazette of India, would imply that the Central Government has accepted the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank and therefore, has declared that the specified series of Bank notes of the specified denomination shall cease to be legal tender  from  the  date  to  be  specified  in  the  notification.  The operation of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is thus in  a very narrow compass and it is reiterated that the said power is exercised by the Central Government on acceptance of the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank.
  • The reason as to why a wide interpretation as contended by the Union of India cannot be given to sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is because a plain reading of the provision as well as a contextual understanding, would suggest that it is only when the initiation of a proposal for demonetisation is by the Central Board of the Bank by making a recommendation to the Central Government that the provision would apply.
  • This position, however, does not imply that the Central Government is bereft of any power or jurisdiction to declare any bank note of any denomination to have ceased to be  a  legal As already observed while accepting the contention of learned Attorney General, the Central Government in its wisdom may also initiate  the  process  of  demonetisation  as  has  been done in the instant case. But what is important and to be noted is that the said power cannot be exercised by the mere issuance of an executive notification in the Gazette  of  India.  In  other words, when the proposal to demonetise any currency note is initiated by the Central Government with or without the concurrence of the Central Board of the Bank, it is not an exercise of the executive power of the Central Government under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. In such  a situation, as already held, the Central Government would have to resort to the legislative process by initiating a plenary legislation in the Parliament.
  • What is being emphasised is that the Central Government cannot act in isolation in such The  Central Government has to firstly, take the opinion of the Central Board of the Bank for the proposed demonetisation. The Central Board of the Bank may not accept the proposal of the Central Government or may partially concur with the proposal on specific aspects. In fact, in 1978, when the then Governor of the Bank did not accept the proposal of the Central Government to demonetise Rs.5,000/­ and Rs.10,000/­ bank notes, the Central Government initiated the said process through the Parliament and this culminated in the passing of the Act  of  1978.  In drafting the said legislation, the expert assistance of two officers of the Bank was taken so as to fortify the legislation. The said legislation was also challenged before this Court in the case of
  • Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah, Devkumar Gopaldas Aggarwal   vs.   Reserve   Bank   of   India   (1996)   9   SCC   650 whereby the vires of the 1978 Act was ultimately, upheld by this Court vide judgement dated  9th  August,  1996,  after  eighteen years of its enactment.
  • The reasons as to why the Central Government  cannot unilaterally issue a gazette notification but has to resort to a legislation when it  initiates  the  proposal  for  demonetisation have  already  been    The  Central  Government  may have very valid objectives to do so, as in the instant case, i.e., in order to eradicate black money, fake currency and prevent currency from being utilized  for  terror  funding.  But,  those objects  would  not be the  objects  with  which the  Central Board of the Bank may make a  recommendation  under  sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. The reason  being,  the  Central Government would view the entire scheme of demonetisation in a larger perspective, having several objects in mind and in the interest of the sovereignty  and  integrity  of  the  India,  the security of the State, the  financial  health  of  the  economy,  etc. The Central Board of the Bank may not be in  a  position  to visualize  such  objectives.  Under  such   circumstances   the Central Government must consult the Bank but need not mandatorily obtain the imprimatur of the Central Board of the Bank to its proposal. What if  the  Central  Board  of  the  Bank, when consulted by the Central Government, gives a negative opinion? Would it  mean  that  the  Central  Government  would then not resort to demonetisation in deference to the  opinion of the Central Board of the Bank? It may do so if it finds that the opinion tendered by  the  Bank  is  just  and  proper,  but  the Central Government may have its own reasons for not accepting the opinion of the Central Board of the Bank  and  therefore,  in such a situation the Central Government will have to resort to initiate the proposal for demonetisation through a plenary legislation, by way of introduction of a Bill in the Parliament resulting in an Act of Parliament.
  • Therefore, the sum and  substance  of  the  discussion  is  that when the Central Board of the Bank initiates or originates the proposal for demonetisation of any series of bank notes of any denomination, it has to make a recommendation to the Central Government as per sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. The Central Government  may  act  on  such  recommendation  by issuing a gazette On the  other  hand,  when  the Central Government is the originator of the proposal for demonetisation of any currency  note  as  in  the  instant  case,  it has to seek the advice of the Central Board of the Bank, for, it cannot afford to proceed in isolation and  without  bringing  the said proposal to the notice of the Central  Board  of  the  Bank having regard to the important position the Bank holds in the Indian economy. Irrespective of the opinion of  the  Central Board of the Bank to the Central Government’s proposal, the legislative route would have to be taken by the Central Government for furthering its objective/s of demonetisation of bank notes. Thus, the same cannot be carried out by  the issuance of a simple notification in the Gazette  of  India declaring that all bank notes or currency  notes  are demonetised. This is because when the Central Government is the originator of a proposal for demonetisation, it is acting de hors sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • Such an interpretation is necessary as it is the contention of the Union of India that the Central Government has the power to demonetise “all” series of bank notes of “all” denominations which would mean that every Rs.1/­, Rs.5/­, Rs.10/­, Rs.20/­, 50/­, Rs.100/­, Rs.500/­,  Rs.1,000/­,  Rs.5,000/­, Rs.10,000/­, could be demonetised. Since the same is possible theoretically, in my view, such an extensive power cannot be exercised by issuance of a simple gazette notification in exercise of an executive power of the Central Government as if it is one under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.  The same can only be through a plenary legislation, by way of an enactment following a meaningful debate in Parliament, on the proposal of the Central Government. This would also answer the other contention of the learned senior counsel for the petitioners that sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act cannot be interpreted to mean “all series” of bank notes of “all denominations” when the words used in the provision are “any series” of  “any denomination”.

Deciphering the plain meaning of sub­section (2) of Section 26:

 

  • The reason why power is vested only with the Central Board of the Bank under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act to recommend to the Central Government to declare specified series of specific denomination of bank notes as having ceased to be legal tender, becomes clear when the plain meaning of the words of the said provision is recognised. When interpreted as such, no power to demonetise currency notes at the behest of the Central Government is envisaged under the said provision. This is because the power of the Central Government to do so is vast and has a wider spectrum. Such a power is not traceable to sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act which operates in a narrower compass. Hence, to save sub­section (2) of Section 26 from the vice of unconstitutionality, it must be given an interpretation appropriate to the object for which the provision is In this context, the following principles become relevant.
  • When the words of a statute are  clear,  plain  or  unambiguous, e., they are reasonably susceptible to only  one  meaning,  the court is bound to give effect to that meaning and admit only one meaning and  no  question  of  construction  of  a  statute  arises, for, the provision/Act would speak for itself. The judicial dicta relevant to the above principle of interpretation are as follows:
  • In Kanailal Sur vs. Paramnidhi Sadhu Khan AIR 1957 SC 907 at Page 910 this Court observed that if the words used are capable of only one “construction” then it would not  be  open  to  the  courts  to  adopt  any  other  hypothetical construction on the ground that such  hypothetical construction is more consistent with  the  purported  object and policy of the Act. Reference was made to  Section 162 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and interpretation  of the expression “any person” by Lord Atkin, speaking for the Privy Council who  observed  that  the  expression  “any person” includes any person who may thereafter be an accused, and he observed that “when the  meaning  of  the words   is   plain,   it   is   not   the   duty   of   Courts   to   busy themselves with supposed intentions” vide Pakala Narayanaswami vs. Emperor AIR 1939 PC 47.
  • Similarly, while construing Sections 223 and 226  of  the Indian Succession Act, 1925 which contain a prohibition in relation to grant of Probate or Letters of Administration “to any association of individuals unless it is a company”, this Court in Illachi Devi vs. Jain Society Protection of Orphans India (2003) 8 SCC 413, applied the plain meaning   rule   and   held   that   said   expression   would   not include a society registered under the Societies Registration Act as a society even after registration does not become distinct from its members and does not become a separate legal person like a company.
  • For a proper application of the plain meaning rule to a given statute, it is necessary, to first determine, whether the language used is plain or ambiguous. “Any ambiguity” means that a phrase is fairly and equally open to diverse A provision is not ambiguous merely because it contains a word which in different contexts is capable of different meanings. It is only when a provision contains a word or phrase which in a particular context is capable of having more than one meaning that it would be ambiguous.
  • Hence, in order to ascertain whether certain words are clear and unambiguous, they must be studied in their Context in this connection is used in a wide sense as including not only other enacting provisions of the same statute, but its preamble, the existing state of the law, other statutes in pari materia  and the mischief which by those and other legitimate means can be discerned that  the statute was intended to remedy. [Source: Interpretation of Statutes by Justice  G.P.  Singh, 15th Edition]
  • Applying the above rule, if sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is read as per the plain meaning of the words of the provision, then it does not lead to any The plain meaning rule is the golden rule of construction of statutes and it does not lead to any absurdity in the instant case. On a plain reading of the provision, it is observed that the Central Government can issue a notification in the Gazette of India to demonetise any series of bank notes of any denomination but only on the recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank. In my view sub­section (2) of Section 26 is not vitiated by unconstitutionality. This is for two reasons: firstly, the plain meaning of the  words  “any”  series  of  bank  notes  of  “any
  • denomination” would not imply “all series” of bank notes of “all denominations”.  The  word  “any”  means  specified  or  particular

and not “all” as contended by the respondents. If the contention of the Union of India is accepted and the word “any” is to be read as “all”, it would lead to disastrous consequences as the Central Board of the Bank cannot be vested with the power to recommend demonetisation of “all series of currency of all denominations”. The interpretation suggested by learned Attorney General would lead to vesting of unguided power in the Central Board of the Bank whereas giving a wider power to the Central Government to initiate such a demonetisation wherein all series of a denomination could be demonetised is appropriate as it is expected to consider all pros and cons from various angles and then to initiate demonetisation on a large scale through a legislative process. Such a power is vested only in the Central Government by virtue of Entry 36 of List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution which of course has to be exercised by means of a plenary legislation and not by issuance of a gazette notification under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. Hence, the word “any” cannot be interpreted to mean “all” having regard to the context in which it is used in the said provision.

  • Secondly, any recommendation of  the  Central  Board  of  the Bank under sub­section (2) of Section 26 is not binding on the Central If the Central Government does not accept

the recommendation of the Bank then no notification would be published in the Gazette of India by it. In fact, the Central Government is not bound by the recommendation made by the Central Board of the Bank to  demonetise  any  bank  note, although, the Central Board  of  the  Bank  may  comprise  of experts in matters relating to finance, having knowledge and experience of economic affairs of  the  country  and  such knowledge may be reflected in the recommendation made to the Central Government. As already noted, the Central  Government has the option to accept the  said  recommendation  and accordingly issue a gazette notification or elect not to act on the same. However, the Central Government should consider the recommendation with all seriousness and in its wisdom take an appropriate decision in the matter.

  1. In the instant case, on perusal of the records  submitted  by Union of India and the Bank, it is noted that the proposal for demonetisation had been initiated by the Central Government by writing a letter to the Bank on 7th November, 2016 and not by the Central Board of the On the very next evening i.e., on 8th November, 2016 at 05:30 p.m., there was a meeting of the Central Board of the Bank at New Delhi and a Resolution was passed and a little while thereafter on the same evening, the notification was issued invoking sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act by the Central Government. Such a procedure is not contemplated under sub­section of Section 26 of the Act when the proposal for demonetisation is initiated by the Central Government
  • Hence, it is held that in the instant case the  Central Government could not have exercised power under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act in the issuance  of  the  impugned gazette Notification dated 8th November, 2016. It is further held that  in  the present  case,  the object  and the  purpose of issuance of an Ordinance and thereafter,  the  enactment  of  the  2017  Act by the Parliament was, in my  view,  to  give  a  semblance  of legality to the exercise of  power  by issuance  of  the  Notification on 8th November, 2016. In fact,  Section  3  of  the  Ordinance  as well as Section 3 of the Act makes this explicit. The same is extracted as under for immediate reference:
  • “3. On and from the appointed day, notwithstanding anything contained in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 or any other law for the time being in force, the specified bank notes which have ceased to be legal tender, in view of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance, number S.O. 3407(E),  dated  the 8th November, 2016,  issued under sub­section (2) of section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, shall cease to be liabilities of the Reserve Bank under section 34 and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government under sub­section (1) of section 26 of the said Act.”The said Section has an inherent contradiction inasmuch as the Section has a non­obstante clause vis­à­vis the Act or any other law for the time being in force but at the same time, the said provision refers to Sections 26 as well as Section 34 of the Act.
  • A non­obstante clause such as “notwithstanding anything contained in the Act or in any law for the time being in force”, is sometimes appended to a section, with a  view  to  give  the enacting part of that section in case of  conflict,  an  overriding effect over the provision or Act mentioned in the non obstante clause. The following are the judicial dicta on the  point  which bring out the use of a non­obstante clause:
  1. In  T.R.  Thandur  vs.  Union  of  India  (1996)  3  SCC  690, this  Court  observed  that  a  non­obstante  clause  may  be used as a legislative device to modify the ambit of the provision or law mentioned in the non­obstante clause or to override it in specified    That  while interpreting a non­obstante clause, the Court is required to find out the extent to which the legislature intended to give it an overriding effect.
  2. In Central Bank of India vs. State of Kerala (2009) 4 SCC 94, this Court held that while interpreting a non­ obstante clause the court is required to find out the extent to which the legislature intended to give it an  overriding effect.
  1. Further, this Court in  G. Varadarajulu and Anr. vs. State  of  Tamil  Nadu  (1998)  4  SCC  231,  observed  that  it is well­settled that while dealing with a non­obstante clause under which the legislature wants to give overriding effect to a section, the court must try to find  out  the  extent  to which the legislature had intended to give one provision overriding effect over another provision.
  • The effect of insertion of a non­obstante clause into  a provision in a legislation, is that the very consideration arising from the provisions sought to  be  excluded,  shall  be  excluded, vide  Madhav  Rao  Scindia  vs.  Union  of  India  (1971)  1  SCC 85.

 

  • Applying the aforesaid principles to  interpret  Section  3  of the 2017 Act, it is observed that  the  non­obstante  clause contained in the said provision has the effect of overriding the provisions of the Act as they are not applicable to the provisions and processes  under  the  2016  Ordinance  and  the  2017  Act.  It is  significant  to  note  that  the  said  Section  contains  a   non­ obstante      clause     which     reads,     “notwithstanding     anything contained in the Act or any other law for the time being in force”. This is rightly so as the demonetisation is   not   in exercise of the powers under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. However, Section 3 of the 2017 Act goes on to state that the specified bank notes which have ceased to be legal tender, in view of the notification dated 8th November, 2016 issued  under  sub­section  (2)  of  Section  26  of  the  Act,  shall cease to impose liabilities on the Bank under Section 34 of the Act and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government under sub­section (1) of Section 26 of the Act. Therefore, while the impugned gazette notification dated 8th November, 2016 has been admittedly issued exercising powers under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, Section 3 of the 2017 Act also states that it is notwithstanding anything contained in the Act. If it is so, then the impugned notification could not have been issued invoking sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. The liability could have so ceased, if the power that had been exercised by the Central Government for the issuance of the notification dated 8th November, 2016 impugned herein, under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act on the recommendation made by the Central Board of the Bank. That is, when the initiation of demonetisation or the proposal came from the Central Board of the Bank, leading to the issuance of the  notification  by  the  Central  Government.   Had  the  measure of demonetisation been carried out by way of enactment of a plenary legislation,  then  the  non­obstante  clause  could  have been employed to exclude the applicability of the Act. However, having sought to rely on sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act to issue the Notification, not only is the non­obstante clause misplaced but it also gives rise to a contradiction as to on what basis the Notification  dated  8th  November,  2016  has  been issued.

Affidavits and Record of the Case:

 

  1. It has been observed in the preceding paragraphs that when the proposal to carry out demonetisation originates from the Central Government, irrespective of whether or not the Bank concurs with or endorses such proposal, the Central  Government  would  have  to  take the legislative route through a plenary legislation and cannot  proceed with demonetisation by simply issuing a notification.
  • Having observed so, it is necessary to examine the proposal to carry out demonetisation, in the present case, which originated from the Central Government. For this purpose, reference may be had to the recitals of the affidavits filed by the Union of India and the Bank, and to the extent permissible, to the records submitted by the Union of India and the Bank in a sealed cover.
  • I have perused the following photocopies of the original records submitted on behalf of the Union of India and the Reserve Bank of India:
  1. Letter by the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, dated 7th November, 2016, bearing F. 10.03/2016 Cy.I, addressed to the Governor of the Bank;
  2. Draft Memorandum of the Deputy Governor of the Bank, placed before the Central Board of the Bank at its 561st Meeting;
  3. Minutes of the 561st Meeting of the Central Board of the Bank, convened at New Delhi, on 8th November, 2016, at 05:30 m., and signed on 15th November, 2016;
  4. Letter addressed by the  Deputy  Governor  of  the  Bank  to the Central Government on 8th November 2016,
  • On a reading of the records listed hereinabove, the following facts emerge:
  1. A letter bearing    No.  10.03/2016  Cy.I  dated  7th November, 2016 was  addressed  by  the  Secretary,  Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, to the Governor of the Bank, referring to certain facts and figures to indicate the  following  two  major  threats  to the security and financial integrity of the country:
  2. Fake Infusion of Currency Notes (FICN);
  3. Generation of black money in the Indian economy.
  • The desire of the Central Government to proceed  with the measure of demonetisation was expressed in the said letter and a request was made to the Bank to consider recommending the such measure, in terms of the relevant clauses of the Act.
  • Further, the Draft Memorandum of the Deputy Governor of the Bank, placed before the Central Board of the Bank, categorically states that the need for a meeting to deliberate on the proposed measure of demonetisation, had arisen pursuant to the letter addressed to the Bank from the Central Government dated 7th November, The Draft Memorandum further records that the Government had “recommended” that the withdrawal of the tender character of existing Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ notes, is apposite.
  • Further, the said document records that  “as desired” by the Central Government, a draft scheme  for implementation of the scheme of demonetisation had also been enclosed.
  • In view of the contents of the Draft  Memorandum,  the Central Board of the Bank in its 561st Meeting commended the Central Government’s proposal for demonetisation and directed that the same be forwarded to the Central Government.
    • Accordingly, a letter  was  addressed  by  the  Deputy Governor of the Bank to the Central Government on 8th November, 2016, stating therein that the proposal of the Central Government  pertaining  to  withdrawal  of  legal tender of bank notes of denominational values of 500/­ and Rs. 1,000/­ was placed before the Central Board of the Bank in its 561st meeting. It was also stated that necessary recommendation to proceed with the said proposal, had been “obtained” from the Central Board of the Bank.
  • On a comparative reading of  the  records  submitted  by  the Union of India as well as the Reserve Bank of India, it becomes crystal clear that the process of demonetisation of all series  of bank notes of denominational values  of    500/­  and  Rs. 1,000/­, commenced/originated from the Central  Government. The said fact is crystalised  in the  communication addressed  by the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry  of Finance, dated 7th November, 2016 to the Governor of the Bank.
  • The phrases and words emphasized hereinabove clearly indicate that the proposal for demonetisation was  from  the Central Government. In substance,  the  Central  Government sought the opinion/advice of the Bank on such proposal.
  • The use of the words/phrases such as, “as desired” by the Central Government; Government had  “recommended” the withdrawal of the legal tender of existing Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ notes; recommendation has been “obtained”; etc., are  self­explanatory.  This  demonstrates  that  there  was  no independent application of mind by the Bank. Neither was there any time for the Bank to apply its mind to such a serious issue. This observation is being  made  having  regard  to  the  fact  that the entire exercise of demonetisation of all series of bank notes of Rs.500/­ and  Rs.1,000/­  was  carried  out  in  twenty  four hours.
  • A situation where an independent authority  such  as  the Bank, based on its own appreciation of the economic climate of the  country,  recommends  a  measure  to  the  Central Government,  must  be  contrasted  with  another  situation  where a measure which originates from the Central  Government  is simply placed before such independent authority for seeking its advice or opinion on such proposed measure. A proposal of the Central Government on a  certain  scheme  having  serious economic ramifications has to be placed before the Bank to seek its expert opinion as to the viability of such a scheme. The Bank as an expert body may render advice on such a proposal and on some occasions may even concur with the same. However, even such concurrence to a proposal originating from the Central Government is not akin to an original recommendation of the Central Board of the Bank, within the meaning of Section 26 (2) of the Act.
  • The following points emerge on perusal of the  affidavits submitted on behalf of the Union of India:
  • That the Central Board of the Bank made a specific recommendation to the Central Government on  8th November, 2016, for the withdrawal of legal tender character of the existing  series  of  Rs.500/­  and Rs.1,000/­ bank notes which could tackle black money, counterfeiting and illegal financing. That the Bank also proposed a draft scheme for the implementation of the recommendation.
  • That the consultations between the Central Government and the Bank began in February, 2016; however, the process of consolidation and decision making were kept confidential.
  • That the Bank and the Central Government were together engaged in the finalization of new designs, development of security inks and printing plates for the new designs, change in specifications of printing machines and other critical
  • The following points emerge upon perusal of the affidavits submitted on behalf of the Bank:
  1. That a letter dated 7th November, 2016 was received by the Bank, from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, which contained a proposal to withdraw the character of legal tender of existing Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ bank notes.
  2. The said proposal was considered, together with a draft scheme for implementing the withdrawal of existing Rs.500/­  and  Rs.1,000/­  bank  notes,  at  the  561st  meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Bank, held on 8th November, 2016, at 05:30 p.m. at New Delhi.
  • That the Central Board of Directors was assured that the matter had been the subject of discussion between  the Central Government and the Bank for six The said Board was also assured that  the  Central  Government would take  adequate  mitigating  measures  to  contain  the use of cash.
  • That the Board, having observed that the proposed step presents a big opportunity to advance the objects of financial inclusion and incentivising use of electronic modes payment, recommended the withdrawal of legal tender of old bank notes in the denomination of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­.
  • On a conjoint reading of the affidavits submitted by the Union of India and the Bank, the following deductions may be drawn:
  1. That the Central Government in its letter addressed to the Bank, dated 7th November, 2016 proposed to withdraw the character of legal tender of existing 500/­  and Rs.1,000/­ bank notes.
  2. The Central Board of the Bank, at its 561st meeting held on 8th November, 2016 resolved that the withdrawal of legal tender of old bank notes in the denomination of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ be made.
  • The objects guiding the Board’s opinion were two­fold: first, pertaining  to  financial inclusion,  and  second,  being  to incentivise the use of electronic modes of payment.
  • The object guiding the Government’s proposal to withdraw currency of the specified denominations,  was  to  tackle black money, counterfeiting and illegal

 

  • In my view, there is contradiction as to the subject of demonetisation, as well the object thereof, as stated by the Bank vis­à­vis the Central Government as discernible from the The same may be expressed as follows:
As       stated       in       the As     stated     in     the
affidavit of the Bank affidavit        of       the
Central
Government
Object                 of i)         Financial To tackle:
Demonetisatio

 

n

inclusion

ii)        incentivising        use

 

of   electronic   modes   of

i)                  black money,

ii)                counterfeiting,

iii)              illegal

financing.
payment
Subject               of Demonetisatio n Old bank notes in the denomination                     of Rs.500/­                           and

Rs.1,000/­

Existing Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ bank notes

The object of the measure and the subject are of relevance, in assessing the resolution of the Bank dated 8th November, 2016 because, the said considerations would have a bearing on the question, whether, the Bank’s opinion was in consonance with the object sought to be achieved through demonetisation by the Central Government’s proposal.

  • On a close reading of the Notification dated 8th November, 2016, in juxtaposition with the records, the following aspects emerge:
  • One aspect of the matter which emerges with no ambiguity is that the proposal for demonetisation originated from  the Central Government, by way of  its  letter  addressed  to  the Bank, dated  7th  November,    This  aspect  forms  the central plank of the controversy at hand. That the recommendation did not originate from the Bank under sub­ section (2)  of  Section  26 of the  Act, but  was “obtained” from the Bank in the form of an opinion on the proposal for demonetisation  submitted  by  the  Central  Government.  Such an  opinion, could not  be  considered  to be a  recommendation as required by the Central Government in order to  proceed under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • Even if it is to be assumed for the  sake  of  argument that the said opinion, was in fact a  “recommendation”  under  sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the  Act,  in  light  of  the interpretation given by me hereinabove to the phrase “any” series or “any” denomination, to mean a specified series/specified denomination, the recommendation itself is void inasmuch as it pertained to demonetisation of “all” series of Bank notes of denominational values of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­. As has already been observed, the term “any” as appearing in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act could not be interpreted to mean “all” as such an interpretation would vest unguided and expansive discretion with the  Central Board of the Bank.
  • The Notification expressly states that it is issued under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. Therefore Section 3 of the Ordinance and Act could not, in the  non­obstante  clause, state that sub­section (2) of Section 26 is not applicable to the Act.
  1. Having observed that demonetisation could not have been carried out by issuing a Notification as contemplated under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of  the  Act  and  that  the Parliament does indeed have the competence to carry out demonetisation, on the strength of Entry 36 of List I of the Seventh  Schedule  of  the  Constitution,   the   Central Government could not  have  exercised  the  power  by  issuance of an executive notification.

Legal Principles applicable to the case:

  1. There are certain legal principles which  are  applicable  in  this case:  one is  expressed in  the maxim “to  do a thing a particular way or not at all”; this principle has also been expressed in terms of the latin maxim “expressio  unius  est  exclusio  alterius”,  which  means  that  when a manner is specified for doing a certain thing, then all other modes for carrying out such  act  are  expressly  excluded;  and  the  other  principle is, exercise of discretion which is a well known  principle  in Administrative The same would be discussed at this stage.
  • The first principle which is of relevance to the controversy at hand is that, where a power is given to do a certain thing in a certain way, the thing must be done in that way or not at all and other methods of performance are necessarily forbidden
  • vide,  Taylor  vs.  Taylor  (1875)  1  Ch  D  426.  Hence,  when  a statute requires a particular thing to be done in a particular manner, it must be done in that manner or not at all and other methods of performance are necessarily forbidden, vide Nazir Ahmed vs. King Emperor (1936) L.R. 63 I.A. 372.

 

  • This Court too, has applied this maxim in the following cases:
  • Parbhani Transport Co­operative Society vs. The Regional Transport  Authority,  Aurangabad  (1960)  (3) S.C.R. 177: AIR 1960 SC 801, wherein it was observed that the rule provides that an expressly laid down mode of doing something necessarily implies a prohibition of doing it in any other way.
  • In Dipak Babaria vs. State of Gujarat AIR 2014 SC 1972, this Court set aside the sale of  agricultural  land,  on the ground that the sale was not in compliance with the statutory procedure prescribed  in that regard  under the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region) Act, 1958. The matter was examined on the anvil of the aforestated maxim and it was held that alienation of agricultural land by adopting any alternate procedure to the one prescribed under the Act, was necessarily forbidden.
  • In Kameng Dolo vs. Atum Welly AIR 2017 SC 2859, election of an unopposed candidate was declared as invalid on the ground that the nomination of his opponent was not withdrawn as per the procedure statutorily mandated. That the nomination of the opposite  candidate  ought  to  have been withdrawn in the manner provided for under the relevant statute and withdrawing the same in any other manner was necessarily That withdrawal of the nomination, not carried out in  accordance  with  the procedure established under the relevant statute, enabled the successful candidate to win unopposed. Hence, his election was declared as void.
  • Similarly, in The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thanjore  VS  G. Thambidurai AIR 2017 SC 2791, assignment of land was cancelled on the ground that statutory requirements were not followed in assigning the land. It was  held  that when a statute prescribes that a certain Act is to  be carried out in a given  manner,  the  said  Act  could  not  be  carried out through any mode other than the one statutorily prescribed.
  • It may also be  apposite  to refer  to  the  decision  of  this  Court in Union of India vs. Charanjit S. Gill (2000) 5 SCC 742, wherein this Court   held   that   any   provisions introduced by way of “Notes” appended to the Sections of the Army Act, 1950, could not be read as a part of the Act and therefore such notes could not take away  any  right vested under the said Act. It was observed that issuance of an administrative order or a “Note” pertaining to a special type of weapon to bring it within the ambit of the Army Act, which was hitherto not  included  therein,  could  not  be said to have been included in the manner in which  it  was supposed to be included. That the Army Act empowers the Central Government to make rules and regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of the Act; however, no power is conferred upon the Central Government of issuing “Notes” or “issuing orders” which  could  have  the  effect  of the Rules made under the Act. That rules and Regulations or administrative instructions can neither be supplemented nor  substituted  by  “Notes”.  That   administrative instructions issued or the “Notes” attached  to  the  Rules which are not  referable  to  any  statutory  authority  cannot be permitted to bring about a  result,  which  is  supposed  to be achieved through enactment of Rules.
  • What emerges from the above discussion is that when a statute contemplates a specific procedure to be adhered to in order to arrive at a desired end, such procedure cannot be substituted by an alternative procedure which is not contemplated under the statute. Further, if an action is to be carried out by way of issuance of a particular statutory instrument on the basis of certain requirements, such action cannot be validly carried out by way of issuance of an instrument when the same is not contemplated under the Act. This is particularly so when the instrument enacted stands on a different footing than the one meant to be enacted.
  • Applying the said principle to the facts of the present case, it is observed that what ought to have been done through a Parliamentary enactment or plenary legislation, could not have been carried out by simply issuing a notification under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act by the Central Government. As noted hereinabove, the said provision does not apply to cases where the proposal for demonetisation originates from the Central Government and the same is not envisaged under the Act. Hence, issuance a notification to give effect to the Central Government’s proposal for demonetisation, was clearly based on an incorrect understanding of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. The Central Government did not follow the procedure contemplated under law to give effect to its proposal for demonetisation. This is not a matter of form but one of substance as in law, the powers of the Central Board  of  the Bank and the Central Government are totally distinct in the matter of demonetisation of bank notes.
  1. The other legal principle is concerning exercise of discretion in Administrative Law. Lords Halsbury in Sharp vs. Wakefield 1891 AC 173 described the concept of discretion in the following words:
  • “When it is said that something is to be done within the discretion of the authorities that something is to be done according to the rules of reason and justice, not according to private opinion …according to law and not humour. It is to be, not arbitrary, vague and fanciful, but legal and regular. And it must be exercised within the limit, to which an honest man competent to the discharge of his office ought to confine himself.”
  • It is a well­established rule of administrative law that discretionary power is to be exercised and a decision has to be made, by the very authority to  whom the  discretion  is entrusted by the statute in The situation of an authority not exercising its discretion  arises  when  any  authority  does  not itself consider a particular matter before it on  merits  but  still takes a decision, as if it  is  directed  to  do  so,  by  another authority, most often, by a higher authority. When an authority exercises the discretion vested in it by law at  the  behest  of another authority in a specific matter,  this  would  in law  amount to non­exercise of its discretionary power by the authority itself, and consequently, such action or decision is invalid.
  • The petitioners have contended that it is implicit in sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act that adequate time and attention must be devoted by both the Central Board of the Bank and the Central Government before proceeding with a measure of such magnitude and consequences, as  demonetisation.  It  was further submitted that the facts and records of the present case would show that the procedure with such implicit obligations was abandoned and the  process  contemplated  was  not  as  per the  said  provision.  That  the  proposal  emanated  from  the Central Government and was not initiated by the  Bank. The Central Board of the Bank passed a resolution  in  a  hurried manner. No adequate care and consideration were bestowed on such a crucial matter by the Central Board of the Bank having regard to the severe ramifications that the proposed demonetisation would have on almost every  citizen  of  the country. Possibly, the Central Board of the Bank acted on the “assurances” of the Central Government which is evident on a perusal of the records and not on an independent application of mind owing to lack of time.
  • As noted from the records submitted by the Central Government as well as the Reserve Bank of India in the instant case, the Central Government wrote to the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India on 7th of November, 2016 about its proposal to demonetise all series of bank notes of denominations of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­, which were in circulation, and on the very next day i.e., 8th November, 2016, a meeting of the Central Board of the Bank was held at New Delhi at 05:30 p.m. and shortly thereafter, the gazette notification was issued. Such a swift action would indicate that  the  Central Board of the Bank had hardly twenty­four hours to consider the proposal of the Central Government  and  hence,  hardly any  time to apply its mind  independently to  the proposal. It is  clear from the records submitted that the Central Government  “assured” the Central Board of  the  Bank  that  sufficient  safeguards  would be taken while embarking on the process of demonetisation and that it would also result in reducing bank notes in the economy and a switch over to the digitalisation  of  the  economy.  The Central Board of the Bank, in resolving to opine on the measure of demonetisation to  the  Central  Government,  acted  only  on such “assurances”.
  • Further, the Central Government cannot in  the guise  of  seeking an opinion on its proposal to demonetise bank notes, “obtain” a “recommendation from the Central Board of the Bank” as if it is acting under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, and consequently, issue a gazette notification by which
  • demonetisation of bank notes would be given effect to. Such a procedure, in my view, would be contrary to the import of sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, inasmuch as the Central Government   cannot   act   under   the   said   provision   by   the issuance of a notification, as if a “recommendation” has been made by the Central Board of the Bank when in fact, what actually  transpired  in  the  instant  case,  was  that  the  Central Government initiated the process of demonetisation by formulating a proposal in this regard and subsequently secured the imprimatur of the Bank on such proposal. In fact, the Central Board of the Bank has no jurisdiction to “recommend” demonetisation of bank  notes  of  “all  series”  of  “all denomination” to  the  Central  Government,  as  already  held above.
  • The powers of the Central Board of the Bank are restrictive in nature inasmuch as it can only recommend that  a  particular series of a particular denomination would  cease  to  be  legal Hence, the Central Government cannot rely on the semblance of a “recommendation  made  to  it  by  the  Central Board of the Bank under  sub­section  (2)  of  Section  26  of  the Act” when it initiates the process of demonetisation. The Central Government also cannot “obtain” any recommendation to that effect, and if it has done  so,  it  would  imply  that  the  Central Board of the Bank is acting at the behest of the  Central Government, only to concur with what the Central Government intends to do. Such an opinion would not be on the basis of any independent application of mind of the experts who form the Central Board of the Bank. Moreover, when the  Central Government seeks  the opinion  of  the Central Board  of the  Bank to its proposal for demonetisation,  the latter would have to be given some time to consider the  pros  and cons  and  the impact that it would have on the citizens of India, as bank notes are a species of negotiable instruments and a medium through which goods and services are traded and therefore, they are the lifeline of the economy.   The Central Government also failed to indicate that the demonetised currency had lost the guarantee  provided vide sub­section (1) of Section 26 of the Act in the impugned notification. Hence, an Ordinance had to be issued on 30th December, 2016. Moreover, it is  not  known  whether  the  Bank had made arrangements for printing sufficient new notes for exchange of demonetised currency. It is also not known whether the Department of  Legal Affairs  was  consulted in  the matter as the procedure of demonetisation involves legal implications.
  • Hence, in my considered view, the action of demonetisation initiated by the Central Government  by  issuance  of  the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016 was an exercise of power contrary to law and therefore Consequently, the  2016  Ordinance  and  2017  Act  are  also  unlawful.  But, having regard to the fact that the demonetisation process  was given effect to from 8th November, 2016 onwards, the status quo ante cannot be restored at this point of time.

What relief may be awarded in the present case?

  1. In view of the above conclusion, the question  of  moulding  the relief shall now be According  to  the petitioners, around 86 per cent of the volume of currency notes of the total currency in circulation in the Indian economy was demonetised.  They  also  stated that the people of India were exposed to undue hardships owing to the lack of financial resources and had to  undergo  not  only  a  severe financial crunch but were also exposed to other socio­economic and psychological hardships. The problems associated with the measure of demonetisation would make one wonder whether the Central Board of the Bank had visualised the consequences that would follow. Whether the Central Board of the Bank  had  attempted  to  take  note  of  the adverse effects of demonetisation of such a large volume of bank notes in circulation? The objective of the Central Government may have been sound, just and proper, but the manner  in  which  the  said  objectives were achieved and the procedure followed for the same, in my view was not in accordance with law having regard to the interpretation given above.
  • It has also been brought on record that around 98% of the value of the demonetised currency  have  been  exchanged  for  bank  notes which continues to be legal tender. Also, a new series of bank notes of Rs.2,000/­ was released by the Bank. This would suggest  that  the measure itself may not have proved to be as effective as it was hoped to be. However, this Court does not base its decision on the legality of a legislation, qua the effectiveness of such action in achieving  the stated objectives. Therefore, it is clarified that any relief moulded in the present cases is de hors considerations of success of the measure.
  • I have borne in mind the submissions  of  learned  Attorney General appearing on behalf of the Union of  India  to  the  effect that the objectives of the Central Government have been sound, just and proper, but in my view, the manner in which the said objectives were achieved and the  procedure  followed  for  the same was not in accordance with law having regard to the interpretation given Learned Attorney General appearing on behalf of the Union of India also contended that the issues raised in these petitions have become infructuous and wholly academic as the action of demonetisation has been acted upon and therefore, the present cases are only of academic  significance.  It  is  necessary  to examine the nature of  relief that could  be  moulded by the  Court in this matter.
  • There are several judgments which could be relied upon in this context:
  • This Court acknowledged in R. Bommai vs. Union of India AIR 1994 SC 1918, that although substantive relief may be granted only if the issue remains live in cases which are justiciable, this Court may prospectively declare a law, for posterity. Notwithstanding the fact that no substantive relief could be granted in the said case for the reason that following the Presidential proclamation, fresh elections had been held and new Houses had been constituted, this Court went on to declare the law, for posterity, as to the federal character of the Constitution, the nature of the power conferred on the President under Article 356 of the Constitution and the manner in which such power is to be exercised for imposing President’s Rule in a State by dissolution of the Legislative Assembly.
  • In  Golak  Nath  vs.  State  of  Punjab  (1967)  2  SCR  762, this Court declared that it is open to the Court, to find and declare the law, but restrict the operation of such law to the future.
  • Further, the observations made by this Court in Orissa Cement Ltd. vs. State of Orissa 1991 Supp (1) SCC 430, while determining what relief that could be granted following a declaration of a provision of an enactment as invalid, are  also  relevant.  This  Court  held  that  declaration of invalidity of a provision, and determination of the relief to be  granted  as  a  consequence  of  such  invalidity,  are  two distinct things. That in respect of the relief to be granted as a consequence of declaration of invalidity, the Court has discretion which could be exercised to grant, mould or restrict the relief.
  • In the instant case, the elementary question that requires determination is, whether the challenge to the validity of the Central Government’s decision dated 8th November, 2016 to demonetise all 500/­  and  Rs.1,000/­  bank  notes,   having been adjudicated  upon,  at  this  juncture,  i.e.,  after  a  lapse  of over six years since the impugned action was carried out, the nature of relief that could be granted by  this  Court  at  this juncture is to be considered.
  • Stated very patently, the  controversy  in  the  present  cases relates to the true meaning and interpretation of sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. Therefore, the question that arises for consideration is, whether, this Court  can  declare  the  law  as  to the validity of an action, even after such action has been  given effect to in That is to say, once the  action  has  been completely carried out, and there is no element of such action which is left to be carried out, can there still be a subsequent declaration by this Court as to the validity of such act,  having regard to the interpretation accorded to the provisions of the relevant statute.
  • As discussed hereinabove, this Court has acknowledged on several occasions that it has the competence to declare the law on a subject for posterity, even though no substantive relief may be given under the circumstances of a given case, vide S.R. Bommai. The effect of such declaration would apply prospectively.  That  is,  in  the  present  case  if  a  declaration  is made to the effect that the impugned action was unlawful, such declaration would only have the effect of deterring  future measures from being carried out in a like  manner,  in  order  to save such measures, from the vice of unlawfulness. Such declarations as to validity or invalidity of  a  measure,  may  be made by this Court in exercise of its  power under Article  141 of the Constitution, and the effect of such declaration may  be moulded or restricted by exercising the power vested with this Court under Article 142.
  • Reference may also be  had  to  the  decision  of  this  Court  in Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah, Devkumar Gopaldas Aggarwal vs. Reserve Bank of India AIR 1997 SC 370. The said case pertains to the challenge to the Constitutional validity of  the  High  Denomination  Bank  Notes  (Demonetisation)  Act, Although the enactment related to the year 1978 and its effects were immediate, as in the present case, the validity of the same was conclusively declared by this Court only in the  year 1997. This Court, while upholding the validity of the legislation impugned therein, authoritatively clarified and declared the law on the Parliamentary power to enact such a legislation. A declaration of a  similar  nature,  i.e.,  as  to  the  validity  or invalidity of the impugned actions and Notification, is what is sought for in the present petitions.

Conclusions:

  1. In view of the aforesaid discussion, the following conclusions are arrived at:
  • According to sub­section (1) of Section 26 of the Act, every bank note shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein and shall be guaranteed by the Central This provision is subject to sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act.
  • Sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act applies  only  when  a proposal for demonetisation  is  initiated by the Central Board  of the Bank by way of a recommendation being made to the Central The said recommendation can be in respect of  any series of bank notes of any denomination which is interpreted to mean any specified series of bank notes of any specified denomination.
  • The expression any series of bank notes of any denomination has been given its plain, grammatical meaning, having regard to the context of the provision and not a broad meaning. Thus, the word “any” will mean a specified series or a particular series  of  bank Similarly, “any” denomination will mean any particular or specified denomination of bank notes.
  • If the word “any” is not given a plain grammatical meaning and interpreted to mean “all series of bank notes” of “all denominations”, it would vest with the Central Board of the Bank unguided and unlimited powers which would be ex­facie arbitrary and suffer from the vice of unconstitutionality as this would amount to excessive vesting of powers with the Bank. In order to save the provision from being declared unconstitutional, the meaning of the provision is read down to the context of the Central Board of the Bank initiating a proposal for demonetisation by making a recommendation to the Central Government under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act of a particular series of bank note of any denomination.
  • On receipt of the said recommendation made by the Central Board of the bank under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act, the Central Government may accept the said recommendation or may not  do If the Central Government accepts the recommendation, it may issue a notification in the Gazette of India specifying the date w.e.f. which any specified series of bank notes of any  specified  denomination  shall  cease  to  be  legal  tender  and shall cease to have the guarantee of the Central Government.
  • The provisions of the Act do not bar the Central Government from proposing or initiating It could do so having regard to its plenary powers under Entry 36 of List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. However, it has to be done only by an Ordinance being issued by the President of India followed by an Act of Parliament or by plenary legislation through the Parliament. The Central Government cannot demonetise bank notes by issuance of a gazette notification as if it is exercising power under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act. In such circumstances when the Central Government is initiating the process of demonetisation, it would not be acting under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act but notwithstanding the said provision through a legislative process.
  • When such power  is  exercised  by  the  Central  Government  by means of a legislation, it is by virtue of Entry 36, List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India which deals with currency,  coinage  and  legal  tender;  foreign  exchange  which  is  a field of legislation. Hence, the power of the Central Government to demonetise any currency is notwithstanding  anything contained in Section 26 of the Act.
  • When the Central Government proposes demonetisation of any bank note, it must seek the opinion of the Central  Board  of  the Bank having regard to the fact that the Bank is the sole authority to regulate circulation of bank notes and secure monetary stability and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country and to maintain price stability.
  • The opinion of  the  Central  Board  of  the  Bank  ought  to  be  an independent and frank opinion after a meaningful discussion by the Central Board of the Bank which ought to be given its due weightage having regard to the ramifications it may have on the Indian economy and the citizens of India although it may not be binding on the Central Government.  On  receipt  of  a  negative opinion from the Central Board of  the  Bank,  the  Central Government which has initiated the demonetisation  process  may still intend to go ahead with the said  process  after  weighing  the pros and cons only by  means  of  an  Ordinance  and/or Parliamentary legislation but not by issuance of  a  gazette notification.   In   other   words,   the   Central   Government   in   such circumstances cannot resort to exercise of power under sub­ section (2) of Section 26 of the Act by issuing a notification in the Gazette of India as if it were exercising executive powers. Even if the Central Board of the Bank concurs with the proposal of the Central  Government,  the  Central  Government  would  have  to undertake a legislative process and not carry out the measure by simply issuing a gazette notification.
  • In view of the aforesaid conclusions, I am of the considered view that the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016 issued under sub­section (2) of Section 26 of the Act is unlawful. In the circumstances, the action  of  demonetisation  of  all  currency  notes of Rs.500/­ and Rs.1,000/­ is vitiated.
  • Further, the subsequent  Ordinance  of  2016  and  Act  of  2017 incorporating  the   terms   of   the   impugned  notification   are   also

unlawful.

  • However, having regard to the fact that the impugned notification dated 8th November, 2016 and the Act have been acted upon, the declaration of law made herein would apply prospectively and would not affect any action taken  by  the  Central  Government  or the Bank pursuant to the issuance of the Notification dated 8th November, 2016. This direction is being issued having regard to Article 142 of the Constitution of India. Hence, no relief is being granted in the individual matters.
  • In view of the above conclusions, I do not think it is necessary to answer the other questions raised in the reference order.
  1. Before parting, I wish to observe that demonetisation was an initiative of the Central Government, targeted to address disparate evils, plaguing the Nation’s economy, including, practices of hoarding “black” money, counterfeiting, which in turn enable even greater evils, including terror funding, drug trafficking, emergence of a parallel economy, money laundering including Havala transactions. It is beyond the pale of doubt that the said measure, which was aimed at eliminating these depraved practices, was well­intentioned. The measure is reflective of concern for the economic health and security of the country and demonstrates foresight. At no point has any suggestion been made that the measure  was motivated by anything but the best intentions and noble objects for the betterment of the Nation. The measure has been regarded as unlawful only on a purely legalistic analysis of the relevant provisions of the Act and not on the objects of demonetisation.
  1. In view of the answer given by me to question 1 of the reference order, I do not deem it necessary to answer all other questions of the reference order or even the questions reframed by His Lordship B.R. Gavai, J. during the course of the judgment except to the extent discussed above.
  2. In the result,  the  writ  petitions,  special  leave  petitions  and transfer petitions are directed to be  posted  before  the  appropriate Bench after seeking orders from Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India. I would like to acknowledge and place on record my appreciation for the learned Attorney General for India, all learned senior counsel, learned instructing counsel as well as the learned counsel, for their assistance in the matter.

Parties to bear their respective costs.

NEW DELHI,

2 JANUARY, 2023.

……………………….J. [B. V. NAGARATHNA]

 




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