The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to restrict the issuance of Aadhaar cards only to children up to the age of six years. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra dismissed the plea, stating that it lacked merit and was based on a misunderstanding of the Aadhaar framework.
PIL Dismissed as Without Merit
The bench observed that the petitioner's argument was fundamentally flawed as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) already has provisions for voluntary enrollment and deactivation of Aadhaar for minors. The court noted that the Aadhaar Act, 2016, allows for the enrollment of children and the suspension of their Aadhaar numbers upon reaching the age of 18, if they so choose. The PIL had contended that issuing Aadhaar to children beyond six years violated their right to privacy and could lead to misuse of their biometric data.
Court's Observations
The Supreme Court highlighted that the Aadhaar system is designed to provide a unique identity to residents, including children, for accessing various welfare schemes and services. The bench emphasized that the existing legal framework adequately addresses concerns about data protection and privacy. The court also noted that the petitioner failed to provide substantial evidence to support the claim that Aadhaar issuance to older children causes harm.
Background of the Case
The PIL was filed by an organization claiming to work for child rights, arguing that mandatory Aadhaar enrollment for children above six years infringes upon their fundamental rights. The petitioner sought directions to the government to amend the Aadhaar Act to restrict enrollment to children up to six years only. However, the court found no ground to interfere with the current policy.
Government's Stand
The central government, represented by the UIDAI, defended the existing system, stating that Aadhaar enrollment for children is voluntary and that adequate safeguards are in place to protect their data. The government also argued that Aadhaar helps in ensuring that welfare benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, including children, without duplication or fraud.
The Supreme Court's decision reaffirms the legality and necessity of the Aadhaar system for children, while acknowledging the importance of privacy and data protection. The bench concluded that the PIL was an attempt to challenge a settled law without any valid legal basis.
