SC Grants Liberty To Move Delhi HC In A Plea By Surjewala Against Aadhar Linkage With Voter ID

The Supreme Court on July 25, Monday, asked Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala to plead before the Delhi High Hourt with his petition that challenged the Election Law Amendment Act.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna expressed their disinclination to hear the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Surjewala. However, the bench gave liberty to the petitioner to withdraw the petition and approach the high court.

In his petition, the Congress leader averred that linking of the aadhar and voter ID cards “infringes upon the fundamental right of privacy of citizens and is unconstitutional and ultra vires the Constitution".

“Linking of Aadhaar data with Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card data will allow the personal and private data of voters to be available to a statutory authority and shall impose a limitation on the voters, i.e., the voters will now have to establish their identity before the Electoral Registration Officer by furnishing their respective Aadhaar details."

“The situation will further be aggravated by the fact that at present there are no laws for protecting the data of citizens,” the plea further stated.