RAVI SOMANI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Present writ petition has been filed challenging the notification for re-minting of commemorative coins having same denomination, design, dimensions and metal compositions as originally released commemorative coins had. The prayer in the writ petition is reproduced hereinbelow:-

(2.) Petitioner is a coin collector who has been collecting commemorative coins since 1964. It is the petitioner's case that the commemorative coins are being minted for the second time with same specifications without there being any occasion for the same.

(3.) Learned counsel for petitioner states that if the same coin is minted again, the coins minted earlier would lose their significance and value. In support of his submission, learned counsel relies upon the dictionary meaning of the word "Commemorative" as "issued in limited quantities for a relatively short period in commemoration of a person, place or event". According to learned counsel for petitioner, the commemorative coins are supposed to be rare and, therefore, should not be issued periodically. In this connection, he also draws attention of this Court to the practice followed by other foreign countries.