‘Aadhaar data not for criminal investigation’

NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Friday said that biometric data collected for Aadhaar can’t be used for criminal investigations, a day after the National Crime Records Bureau chief made a pitch for data access to police. The UIDAI said the data can be used only for authentication of identity, adding that no information had been shared with any investigating agency. Director of the NCRB, Ish Kumar said on Thursday there was a need for access to Aadhaar data to police for investigations. “This is essential because 80-85% of the criminals every year are first time offenders with no records with the police,” he said.