The Supreme Court recently dismissed a petition claiming the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exchanged defaced currency notes worth ₹30 crores, allegedly marked by a Kashmiri separatist group in 2013. The Court noted the petitioner’s failure to disclose critical details, including his dismissal from the RBI, as a major credibility issue.
The case, initiated by Satish Bhardwaj, sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged currency scandal. However, a Bench led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh found the petition lacked merit, particularly after revelations about Bhardwaj’s employment history came to light.
The controversy originated from claims that a separatist group defaced currency notes with slogans and declared this act on social media in 2013. Bhardwaj alleged that the RBI’s Jammu Regional Branch exchanged the defaced notes in violation of banking regulations.
The Court, however, emphasized the petitioner’s lack of transparency, undermining his credibility and casting doubt on the PIL’s motives. “Withholding material facts erodes the foundation of public interest litigation,” the Bench observed, dismissing the plea outright.
While acknowledging the potential seriousness of the issue, the Court clarified that these concerns could be addressed in a more appropriate case if needed. For now, the petitioner’s arguments fell flat, with the judges concluding that the case did not warrant further examination.
This decision underscores the importance of full disclosure in public interest cases, as any omissions can significantly weaken the legitimacy of such petitions.
