Petitioner UCPW argued for modifying Gandhi's portrait on currency notes to include national features. Court held it is an administrative policy matter where no ground exists for judicial intervention, yet granted prayer for representation.
Prayer allowed to approach respondent no. 2 via representation; writ petition dismissed.
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42 ss/jks 15.12.2021
WPA 25376 of 2016 Bhaskarananda Halder Vs.
Union of India & Anr. (Through Video Conference)
Mr. Srikanta Dutta Ms. Rituparna Sarkar Dutta
… … for the petitioner
By this public interest petition the petitioner has prayed for a writ of mandamus seeking a direction to the respondents to change the design of the currency notes having pictorial impression of Late Shri Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and to introduce the feature representing the Nation.
The issue which the petitioner is raising relates to policy decision and lies in the administrative domain of the respondents. In the facts of the present case no ground is made out to issue such a direction.
If the petitioner has any grievance in this regard he can approach the respondent no. 2 by way of the representation.
At this stage learned counsel for the petitioner has sought liberty to approach the respondent no. 2.
The prayer is allowed.
The writ petition is accordingly dismissed with the liberty as prayed.
(Prakash Shrivastava, C.J.)
(Rajarshi Bharadwaj, J.)
2 issues framed by the court
Whether the court can direct the respondents to change the design of currency notes picturing Mahatma Gandhi to feature national representation.
Whether a policy decision regarding currency note design lies within the administrative domain beyond judicial interference.
Bhaskarananda Halder
Union of India
Prakash Shrivastava
Rajarshi Bharadwaj
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
