Delhi High Court issues notice in petition challenging ‘Aadhar’ card scheme

The Delhi High Court yesterday issued notice to the Central Government, Government of Delhi and the Unique Identification Authority of India in a petition filed by NGO Beghar Foundation [Beghar Foundation & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors., WP (c) 4996/ 2013] seeking quashing of the Unique Identification (UID) scheme popularly known as the ‘Aadhar’ card scheme..The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bhakru..Advocate Sai Krishna Rajagopal, who represented the petitioner, contended that the scheme was not governed by any statute but was based on a notification by the government. He also said that the scheme had caused poor and homeless persons to suffer great hardships..The petitioner sought the quashing of the UID scheme on the ground that obtaining personal and biometric information for the purpose of ‘Aadhar’ violated the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The petitioner has also prayed for destruction of all personal and biometric data obtained pursuant to the scheme..As an interim relief, the petitioner has sought the quashing of notification issued by the Delhi government which makes it mandatory for people to possess Aadhaar card for various services like marriage registration, issuance of domicile certificate etc..The Court after hearing the petitioner issued notice to Union Government, Government of Delhi and the Unique Identification Authority of India and asked them to file their responses by November 6, 2013..The High Court had earlier issued notice to the Delhi Government in a petition challenging the order that made ‘Aadhaar’ card mandatory for availing various government services.