The Delhi High Court Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking recovery of “Rs 1 trillion” debt owed by Pakistan to India since the time of partition, alleging that the central government was not taking any steps to recover the amount.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla said it was a government policy matter and no directions can be issued by the court in this regard.

The bench said the government was cognisant of the issue and will take whatever steps it wants and the court cannot issue any direction.

The court disposed of the petition by Om Sehgal who argued that Pakistan has been using Indian government’s money to repeatedly attack India, including Kashmir, and countless Indian soldiers have lost their lives in the wars waged by the neighbouring country.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing the central government, said the petitioner may be right in his sentiments but the issue is a matter of policy and should be left to the government.

The petitioner placed on record several documents including statement of accounts while claiming that ₹ 300 crore has been loaned by India to Pakistan both pre and post-independence and now the amount comes to around ₹ 1 trillion by adding the interest.

He urged the court to direct the Ministry of Finance to take up the matter immediately with the Pakistani government for repayment of the debt.

[“source=gadgets360”]