MANICK CHAND PAUL & OTHERS ETC. vs UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 16(7) of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968, affirming that it does not violate Articles 14, 19(1)(g), 301, and 302 of the Constitution. The Court found that the classification between licensed dealers and non-dealers has a reasonable nexus with the Act's objectives, which include controlling the production and distribution of gold. The petitions challenging the amended provisions and government instructions were dismissed, reinforcing the legislative competence of Parliament in regulating gold transactions.