High Court Declines to Suspend Sections of Finance Act, Sets Dates for Next Steps

The High Court has declined to suspend sections of the Finance Act, but has consolidated all petitions challenging the law.

The court said that any petitioner who wishes to amend their petition can do so by August 10. Replies must be filed seven days later, on August 17, and supplementary affidavits by August 24. All documents must be limited to 10 pages.

The court’s decision comes after a hearing on July 29, where petitioners argued that the Finance Act violates the Constitution. The government argued that the law is valid and that it is necessary to raise revenue.

The court’s decision is a setback for the petitioners, but they can still challenge the law on its merits. The next hearing is scheduled for September 12.