AADHAAR LINK: SC ASKS IF GOVT PLANS TO TAKE COERCIVE ACTION

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the government whether it would take coercive action against people who did not link their bank accounts and mobile numbers to the government’s Aadhaar uniqueidentity number before the stipulated deadline.

A bench headed by chief justice Dipak Misra sought the clarification after attorney general KK Venugopal said the government was willing to extend the deadline for the mandatory linking from December 31, 2017 to March 31 next year, but only for those who have not registered under Aadhaar yet and “are willing to enrol”.

The top court is hearing a raft of petitions challenging the government’s move, which has raised privacy concerns, especially after recent massive leak of citizens’ details — including mobile numbers and bank details.

An Aadhaar number, a 12-digit identification number, is issued to individuals after collecting their biometric data such as retina scan and fingerprints.

The top court recently ruled that privacy is a “guaranteed fundamental right” which the petitioners are citing to build their case.

Advocates for the petitioners relied on a two-page government note containing the proposal for extending the deadline.

The three-month extension, the government note read, was for “Aadhaar-willing” citizens.