Madras High Court calls for counter from New Delhi

Madurai: The Chief Justice of Madras high court Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Friday directed the Centre to file a counter within four weeks on a petition seeking to declare Rs 2,000 notes as invalid for using Devanagari form of numerals without passing any law in the parliament for using it for any official purpose.

When the petition filed by 'Agri' KPT Ganesan from Madurai came up for hearing before the division bench comprising Justices Kaul and S. Nagamuthu, the advocate argued that that the sub clause 3 of the Article 343 of Indian Constitution provides that parliament may, by passing a law for the use of the Devanagiri forms of numerals after 15 years from the date of the commencement of the Constitution and get authorisation from the President.

“Whereas, except the official language act, parliament did not pass any Act providing for the use of Devanagiri form of numerals for any official purpose. Hence, as on date, the use of Devanagiri form of numerals is not authorised,” said the advocate appearing for the petitioner. When the court asked the assistant solicitor general G.R. Swaminathan, he said the case would be heard today in apex court as they have filed a transfer petition. However, the court refused to accept his oral submission and directed the Central government to file a counter affidavit within four weeks.