PROMINENT PETITIONERS WHO APPROACHED COURT

Justice (retired) KS Puttaswamy

Former judge of Karnataka HC, he was the first to challenge Aadhaar in SC, saying it infringed one’s right to privacy, which flowed from Article 21 of the Constitution that deals with fundamental right to life. “I have been proven right,” he said. “If legislation (on privacy) is put forward by the Central government, it will solve 90% of the problems, if not all”. Born on Feb 6, 1926, Puttaswamy was educated in Maharaja’s College of Mysore and studied law in Government Law College, Bengaluru. He started practising as lawyer in 1951 and was appointed as a judge in Karnataka high court in 1977.

Shanta Sinha

The Magsasay Award winning child rights activist, also the former chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), challenged the government’s decision to link Aadhaar with welfare schemes, saying it violated the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution. “It is a historic order and will free the vulnerable from clutches of Aadhaar,” she said. “I am hopeful the court will ensure the poor are not deprived from their entitlements, which is crucial for their survival”. Sinha, 67, runs an NGO MV Foundation and is an academician with Hyderabad Central University.

Aruna Roy

The civil servant-turned-activist had challenged the biometric collection of residents for Aadhaar. “I hope the order opens eyes of the government and they reverse its decision to link Aadhaar with welfare schemes,” she told HT. Roy, 71, heads Rajasthan-based Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, and was instrumental in framing the Right to Information, National Food Security and National Rural Employment Guarantee laws as member of the National Advisory Council. Chennaiborn Roy quit the Indian Administrative Service in 1974 and started civil rights movement in Rajasthan with her husband Bunker Roy.

Dr Major General Sudhir G Vombatkere

The armyman-turned-activist had questioned Aadhaar saying it gives the government unprecedented powers for surveillance through technology without any safeguards for citizens on their personal information. His petition also said linking Aadhaar with PAN violated Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 19 (g) (part of fundamental rights giving rights to individuals to practice free trade and profession). “It is a reason to rejoice for republic of India as privacy is now a fundamental right,” he said. Vombatkere retired as additional director general, discipline and vigilance in Army headquarters in Delhi, and is adjunct associate professor with the University of Iowa, USA.