KOLKATA: It’s been exactly a year into demonetisation, and the memories are still fresh: serpentine queues at banks and ATMs, the tentative steps into digital wallets, and the general air of uncertainty will probably take a long time to go. For Bijoy Seal, however, the notebandi scars are indelible. The septuagenarian was probably the only person who had to go to jail as a direct result of the ban on 500- and 1,000-rupee notes.

Bijoy, a retired engineer at a private firm, was supposed to pay Rs 2.25 lakh alimony to his estranged wife Sumitra. The resident of Radhanath Mullick Lane near College Street had a long-standing legal battle, with Sumitra having moved family court saying she hadn’t received alimony for four years. On the basis of the allegation, police arrested Bijoy on November 8, the evening the Centre announced demonetisation.

Bijoy had arranged for the entire amount in cash, but the entire amount had become invalid overnight. The court directed him to arrange for the amount in legal tender by November 15, but it proved to be a nearly insurmountable task for the Seal family, thanks to the note shortage. Bijoy even paid the amount in the invalid notes, which Sumitra refused. The court sent Bijoy to jail for contempt, giving him a month to arrange for legal notes. Bijoy’s family members moved Calcutta high court against the family court verdict, and he was granted bail.

“We moved HC against the family court’s order, and the HC granted bail, understanding the situation,” said Pratap Chandra Dey, Bijoy’s advocate. “He later paid the alimony in new currency. He was the only person in Bengal who went to jail for demonetisation.”

Jayanti Seal, Bijoy’s daughter-in-law, said: “It was more difficult for him to arrange for the money as he was living on his own. We were at Durgapur , and his son was in Bengaluru, where he stays. It left such a blot in his life that he refused to speak about the issue.”

Bijoy had been released from jail, but the 20 days behind bars created an indelible blot. “In those 20 days, I tried to figure out why I was put behind bars. I neither refused to pay the amount, nor did I disobey the court. I have my faith in the judicial system. But can I really be held responsible if the government scraps currency?” he had said after his release from jail.

A year later, the questions still remain. Presidency Correctional Home. Bijoy’s brother Ajay managed get a loan in 112 notes in new Rs2000 currency and 10 in Rs100 notes to pay the outstanding alimony.The demonetization has left an indelible scar for Seal family. It still haunts Bijoy Seal, even a year after the demonetization of Rs 500 and 1000 currencies. Septuagenarian Bijoy Seal was probably the only one who was sent to jail for failing to pay the alimony to his estranged wife in legal tenders just after demonetization of high value currency note .Bijoy Seal was to pay Rs 2.25 lakh alimony to his estranged wife Sumitra. He managed to organise the fund in cash as she refused to accept cheque or demand daft. But over night the notes ceased to be legal tenders, leaving Seal, a retired engineer with a private firm hapless. It was difficult to exchange those notes in short period. The family court sent to jail for contempt of court.

