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Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Another v. Union of India and Others

Writ Petition (Civil) · 2017 INSC 1235Decided 15 Dec 2017
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 494 of 2012
Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud · Chief Justice Dipak Misra · Justice A.K. Sikri · Justice A.M. Khanwilkar · Justice Ashok Bhushan

Background

This is an interim order, not a final judgment. Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) and others, in a large batch of connected matters, challenged the validity of the Aadhaar scheme and its effect on the right to privacy. While the challenge was pending before a Constitution Bench, a question arose about the deadlines for mandatory linking of Aadhaar.

Decision Breakdown

This is an interim order, not a final judgment. A five-judge Bench extended to 31 March 2018 the deadlines for mandatory Aadhaar linking of bank accounts, mobile SIM e-KYC and enrolment in various government schemes. It said this arrangement would continue until the proceedings before the Constitution Bench are disposed of. The whole batch was fixed for final hearing on 17 January 2018.

Lesson Learnt

There is no final ruling in this order on the validity of Aadhaar or its effect on the right to privacy. The order only extends compliance deadlines while the main case is pending.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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