SC to examine validity of amended law allowing Aadhaar for bank, mobile sims

The Supreme Court Friday decided to examine the constitutional validity of amended Aadhaar law and the regulations allowing private entities to use the 12 digit unique number as proof of identity of consumers for opening bank accounts and getting mobile phone connections.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justice B R Gavai issued notices to the Centre and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on a PIL which alleged that the amended law and the regulations were violative of fundamental rights such as right to privacy of the citizens. A 5-judge Constitution bench, by a majority verdict of 4:1 in September last year, held the Centre’s Aadhaar law as “constitutional” with certain caveats.

It held however that Aadhaar would not be mandatory for opening the bank accounts, mobile connections or school admissions.