SC Rules that the Aadhar cards not compulsory Monday Sep 23,2013

The Supreme Court on Monday Sep 23,2013 ruled that Aadhar cards are not mandatory even as various state governments insist on making it compulsory for a range of formalities, including marriage registration, disbursal of salaries and provident fund among other public services.

A Bench of Justices BS Chauhan and SA Bobde said, "The Centre and state governments must not insist on Aadhar cards from citizens before providing them essential services."

The SC passed the order in response to a PIL pleading it to examine the "voluntary" nature of the Aadhaar cards.

In the PIL the petitioner had also sought an immediate stay on the implementation of the scheme.

"The scheme is complete infraction of Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (right to life and liberty)

The SC Bench accepted his arguments and agreed to hear his contentions on the interim stay as well on Sep 23 while asking the centre and state governments to file their replies