Genuine people must be given another chance to deposit old notes: Supreme Court

In a big relief to all those who are bearing the brunt of demonetisation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday rapped the Centre and asked them to give another chance to 'genuine people to deposit old notes'.

The Supreme court granted two-weeks time to Centre to mull over option to provide window to those who could not deposit demonetised notes due to valid reasons. 

Rebuking the Centre for setting up a deadline for depositing demonetised currency, the apex court observed, "One cannot make people suffer if they have genuine reasons, should be allowed to deposit old notes."

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, representing the Centre, to take instructions on the issue.

"There can be a situation where a person has lost his/her money for no fault. Suppose a person was in jail during the period... We want to know as to why you chose to bar such persons," the bench said.

The solicitor general then sought time to seek instructions for granting an opportunity to persons to deposit their money on a case-by-case basis.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Sudha Mishra and others seeking a direction from it in connection with the deposit of old currency notes of Rs. 500 and 1,000.

Following the announcement of demonetising currency notes worth Rs. 500 and 1,000 in November last year, the Government had instructed people to deposit their old currency notes with the RBI till December 30, 2016.