New Delhi (Sputnik) — Bijoy Sil, a retired engineer, has been sent to jail as he offered alimony to his ex-wife in high denomination currency notes which are now worthless after the Indian government’s decision to outlaw the bills.
Sil had been fighting a case of separation with his wife for several years and was ordered to pay alimony of about USD 1500 per month by a family court. Despite repeated warnings, when he failed to pay the amount in last four years, the court ordered his arrest.
"His brother managed to raise loans and collected the required sum for paying the alimony arrears. By the time his brother arranged the amount, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bills were no longer legal tender. The family had no way to change the currency," claimed his lawyer Pratap Dey.
Sil will now be set free only after he pays the entire amount to his wife in legal tender.
