The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response from the city Government on a plea seeking quashing of its executive orders that made Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) or ‘Aadhaar’ mandatory for availing various public services in the Capital.
The court, headed by Justice Rajiv Shakdher, issued notice to the Delhi Government on a plea that Aadhaar card, which was made optional by the Planning Commission, has now been made compulsory for availing benefits and public services in the national capital.
The petitioner, Ashutosh Chandola, sought direction from the court to let Aadhaar card be an optional ID proof and not the only one. “Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari to quash Executive orders passed by the Delhi Government which made Aadhaar mandatory for availing all public services from the Government of NCT of Delhi,” the petition said.
The petition, filed through advocate Dhruv Suri, said that the constitutional validity of UIDAI has been challenged in the Supreme Court and till the case is decided, “the burden of obtaining an Aadhaar should not be made mandatory on the public for availing public services.”
Chandola, in his petition, asked court to give directions to the Government to accept other identity and address proofs such as voter I-Card, passport and other documents, prescribed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, for availing public services in Delhi.
“The entire (Aadhaar) project (of Planning Commission) is meant to be voluntary in nature and this is reflected in the Aadhaar enrolment form which clearly mentions that the Aadhaar enrolment is free and voluntary,” the petition added.
The project was launched by the Planning Commission to empower the poor, who face trouble in accessing various welfare services due to lack of ID proofs. In December 2012, the Delhi Government had issued executive orders making ‘Aadhaar’ card mandatory for acquiring certificates for OBC, SC/ST and various other vital documents relating to income, death, birth, property, marriages etc. On the petition demanding quashing of these orders, the court has sought response from the Delhi Government.