ET Online|
Updated: Nov 03, 2017, 02.14 PM IST
The Supreme Court today sought the government's response on four petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act and linking of bank accounts and mobile numbers with the 12-digit biometric identification number.
The apex court did not pass any interim order
in the matter saying that final hearing in all Aadhaar-related issues
would start before another bench in the last week of this month and the
Centre has already extended the deadline till December 31.
A bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and
Ashok Bhushan, however, said that banks and mobile service providers
must mention the deadlines – December 31 and February 6 – in SMSess sent
to customers on linking their accounts to the Aadhaar numbers.
The apex court, however, pulled up banks and mobile telephone companies for creating panic by sending customers messages saying their accounts will be deactivated if they don't link them to Aadhaar.
The apex court, however, pulled up banks and mobile telephone companies for creating panic by sending customers messages saying their accounts will be deactivated if they don't link them to Aadhaar.
"I don't want to say (so) but I also get
messages," said Justice Sikri, referring to the sometimes umpteen-a-day
text messages threatening deactivation for not linking one's Aadhaar to
one's bank account and mobile phone number.
The top court asked these institutions to
avoid scaring people in this manner, while it was hearing a plea from
social activists to restrain the Centre from linking Aadhaar to bank
accounts and mobile phone numbers until a Constitution bench decides its validity.
Such a bench is expected to soon hear a bunch
of petitions challenging the validity of Aadhaar on the ground that it
violated citizens' right to privacy.
This statement from the SC came a day after
the Centre told the apex court that all subscribers had to link their
mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar by February 6 under E-KYC
verification. The Centre also said on Thursday that showing proof of
Aadhaar is mandatory for opening new bank accounts.
The Centre further said on Thursday that it was the SC that had approved the norm for mandatory Aadhaar-mobile phone linkage - with a window of one year - in the Lokniti Foundation case on February 6.
The Centre further said on Thursday that it was the SC that had approved the norm for mandatory Aadhaar-mobile phone linkage - with a window of one year - in the Lokniti Foundation case on February 6.
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