FRESH PLEA IN SC AGAINST AADHAARMOBILE NO. LINKING

The petition filed by activist Kalyani Menon challenges a March 2017 circular making it mandatory for all the mobile phone holders to link their phone numbers with Aadhaar. The move violates the fundamental rights and constitutional rights of people, says the plea.

NEWDELHI: As telecom companies continue to hound users with messages to link their numbers with Aadhaar, a fresh petition has been moved before the Supreme Court challenging the government’s mandate to link Aadhaar with mobile number.

The petition filed by activist Kalyani Menon has also challenged the government’s rule that makes it mandatory for everyone to link their bank account with Aadhaar number.

Menon’s petition challenges a March 2017 circular issued by the department of telecommunication making it mandatory for all mobile phone holders to link their mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar.

Pursuant to the circular, telecom companies have been bombarding customers with SMS alerts and tele-calls asking them to link their mobile number with Aadhaar to avoid disconnection.

“It is submitted that the impugned circular also violates the fundamental rights and constitutional rights of persons, by requiring any mobile subscriber to link their mobile phone number with Aadhaar number as part of e-KYC requirement,” the petition said.

Her petition also challenged Rule 2(b) of the Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Second Amendment Rules, 2017.

According to the provision, submission of Aadhaar number has been made mandatory for individual account holders, companies, partnership firms and trusts for opening of bank accounts, maintaining existing bank accounts and making any financial transactions of and above ₹50,000.