Who Is BV Nagarathna? Dissenting SC Judge Against Demonetisation Verdict

Bangalore Venkataramiah Nagarathna dissented against the demonetisation verdict given by Supreme Court Constitution bench. In 4: 1 majority, the bench upheld the demonetisation decision of the Narendra Modi-led Centre.

Justice Nagarathna said demonetisation was "unlawful" and the process of banning all currency notes of ₹ 1,000 and ₹ 500 could not have been initiated by the Centre. She agreed with the petitioners that as per section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, the central board of the RBI must have independently recommended demonetisation. Government should have not inferred it, she pointed out that there was no independent application of mind by the RBI.

Justice BV Nagarathna On Demonetisation

"In my considered view, the action of demonetisation by November 8 notification was unlawful. Demonetisation was "an exercise of power, contrary to law, and therefore unlawful. The manner in which it was implemented was not in accordance with the law”, said BV Nagarathna.

Further, BV Nagarathna added, "Demonetisation was, beyond a pale of doubt, well-intentioned. Best intentions and noble objects are not under question. The measure has been regarded as unlawful only on a purely legal analysis, and not on the objects of demonetisation."

Who Is Justice BV Nagarathna?

- BV Nagarathna was born on 30 October 1962 to former Chief Justice E. S. Venkataramiah.

- Justice Nagarathna did her schooling at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi. Bachelor of Arts in history from Jesus and Mary College and took a law degree from the University of Delhi.

- She broadly practiced constitutional and commercial law in Bangalore being a judge of Karnataka High Court in 2008. Earlier, in August this year, President Ram Nath Kovind appointed nine judges to the Supreme Court, among which B V Nagarathna was one.

- Justice Nagarathna currently serves as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. Earlier, she served as a judge of the Karnataka High Court from 2008 to 2021. She might become the first female Chief Justice of India in 2027.

- Justice Nagarathna made some interesting rulings. In 2016, she ruled that owners of 'vehicles bought outside the state' do not need to pay a "lifetime tax" to use vehicles in Karnataka. During a pandemic, she rejected the Karnataka government's proposal to halt mid-day meals in COVID-affected areas. Also asked the government to ensure children have access to online classes and treat teachers and non-teaching staff as frontline workers. Many such judgments are under her name.

- In fact, in 2012 she directed the government to examine the possibility of regulating broadcast media in India, noting the rise of fake news.

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