On 13th March 2018, the Supreme Court has decided to extend the deadline for mandatory Linking of Aadhaar with Bank Accounts, mobile phones etc, indefinitely.
Earlier, the deadline for linking Aadhaar with all services and schemes including bank accounts and mobile numbers was set for March 31st, 2018. However, that has been made unfixed now.
The SC said that its interim order on not insisting Aadhaar, except for giving subsidy, will remain in force till the five judge bench gives its judgement on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar.
Another bench, which consist of justice A.K Sikri, A.M Khanwilkar, D.Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan also said that it would be inconvenient if the deadlines was extended at the last moment, since the matter would have implications on financial institutions like bank, stock exchange etc.
Justice K.S Puttaswamy said to the apex court that several deaths are reportedly taken place due to starvation on account of glitches in the Aadhaar – based public distribution system and the court must consider granting them compensation.
A petition has been filed against government’s 12 – digit flagship program Aadhaar claiming that it is a violation against right to privacy.
Firstly, the historic judgement came from Supreme Court that Right to Privacy is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. However, it is subjected to restructions.
Right to privacy is an integral part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty Guaranteed in Article 21 of the Indian constitution.
However, if Aadhaar is a breach to privacy is yet to be decided by the apex court.
Summary
The Supreme Court has decided that the linkage of Aadhaar with other services would be kept on hold as it is difficult to come up with a decision whether Aadhaar is a breach to privacy by 31st march, 2018. Previously, the deadline for compulsory linking of Aadhaar card with other government services was 31st March, 2018.