7th October 2011:The woes of more than 17 lac panallists of Speak Asia seem to be coming to an end. The Honourable Justice Dalveer Bhandari of the Supreme Court today strongly reprimanded the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India, for not having filled the reply affidavit, to the writ petition filed by the panellists of Speak Asia. Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India were supposed file their replys on or before the 10th October 2011. Justice Dalveer Bhandari has asked Additional Solicitor general Kitit N. Rawal to ensure that both the respondents should file their affidavit before the next hearing. He also said that the casual attitude of the Government in this issue was very disturbing as it was the issue of the money and livelihood of so many people Disposing before the bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Varma, Gopal Subramanian, senior council for Speak Asia explained the total business model of the company. He compared the business of Speak Asia to that of Ebay, where the consumer benefits most. He said this was a much better and refined version as the consumers not only got great deals but could also earn reward points that could be used to buy goods and services. He also emphasised on the training initiatives taken by the company. He lauded the extraordinary vision of the two Singapore based entrepreneurs and the unfortunate victimisation of the company
He urged the court to form a committee headed by Retd. Chief Justice R.C Lahoti, to facilitate the payments to be made to the panellists. He said that the company has the resources to complete all their obligations. He further added that the they have no problems with the ongoing investigations and had upmost faith in the law of the land. He also appraised the court on how the company has been harassed on the basis of some unsubstantiated media reports, and was pursuing legitimate business in the internet space which is the future of all business transactions
The council for the panellist Mr.Mukul Rohitgi urged the court for immediate relief for the panellist. The Supreme Court was most inclined to set up a committee to look into all the issues of the company and its panaellists
The Supreme Court has also instructed the CBDT and the EOW – Mumbai police who have the records of all the payments to be made party to the case, to be present for the next hearing which will be in the next two weeks.
This is wonderful news for all Speak Asians, as they see a ray of hope not only in being able to receive the money that they have earned but also to continue to work and grow with Speak Asia
This was in response to a writ petition WP (C) No. 383/2011 was filed on behalf of Mr. Solomon James and 114 other panellists, from all across the country in the honourable Supreme Court. The main relief sought in the writ is twofold: firstly to disburse the payments due to the petitioners and other panellists against the reward points earned by the panellists and also direct the company to refund the subscription amounts due to the petitioners and other subscribers for the period the e-magazine was not provided. Also directing that the money so collected from the panellists/subscribers be refunded to them in toto as being public money and any investigation shall not put an embargo or hitch in the refund of the same. Second major relief sought was allowing the panellists’ to participate in the business activities of Speak Asia to enable them to earn their day to day living.
JAI SPEAK ASIA
ASHOK BAHIRWANI
AISPA SECRETARY
