Court emphasizes fair, transparent, and time-bound resolution of Aadhaar-related grievances to uphold identity integrity.
In a significant judgment, the Bombay High Court has issued directives to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to ensure prompt enrollment and issuance of Aadhaar cards for two petitioners who faced administrative hurdles due to biometric mismatches in their Aadhaar records. The petitioners, Rohit Bandu Nikalje and his twin brother, encountered persistent issues with their Aadhaar numbers, initially registered when they were minors. Despite repeated attempts to update their biometrics upon reaching adulthood, their requests were repeatedly rejected, causing severe inconvenience and prejudice, especially as they pursued higher education and sporting activities.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Hiten S. Venegavkar, emphasized the importance of a fair and transparent process in resolving identity-related grievances under the Aadhaar framework. The court directed UIDAI to allow the petitioners to re-enroll with fresh biometrics and supporting documents, ensuring expeditious processing of their applications without objections based on prior mismatched records.
During the hearing, it was revealed that the petitioners had made several attempts to rectify their Aadhaar issues, including visits to the UIDAI Regional Office and submission of necessary documents. Despite compliance, they were subjected to shifting procedural requirements, leading to an indefinite administrative limbo. The court found such inconsistent administrative communication unsatisfactory and highlighted the necessity for a clear, written, time-bound remedy.
The judgment underscored the statutory provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and the Aadhaar (Enrollment and Update) Regulations, 2016, which mandate rectification pathways for deactivated or omitted Aadhaar numbers. It reinforced the constitutional guarantee under Article 21 for fair and reasonable administrative procedures affecting civic identity.
The court also noted the increasing number of cases where citizens faced hardships due to biometric mismatches and emphasized a citizen-centric approach, especially for vulnerable groups. It directed UIDAI to adopt a humane, responsive, and facilitative approach in handling genuine cases involving technical irregularities, ensuring that no eligible resident is left without a remedy.
In conclusion, the Bombay High Court ordered the UIDAI to process the petitioners' fresh enrollment applications within four weeks and issue new Aadhaar numbers/cards if no legal impediments are found. This judgment sets a precedent for ensuring procedural fairness and timely resolution of Aadhaar-related grievances, reinforcing the integrity and accessibility of India's identity framework.
Bottom line:-
Aadhaar-related grievances involving biometric mismatches or technical irregularities must be resolved in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner, ensuring that no genuine resident is left without a remedy. Authorities must act in accordance with statutory provisions while maintaining the integrity of the Aadhaar database.
Statutory provision(s): Aadhaar Act, 2016, Aadhaar (Enrollment and Update) Regulations, 2016, Article 21 of the Constitution of India, Article 226 of the Constitution of India
Rohit Bandu Nikalje v. Regional Officer, UIDAI, (Bombay)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2894852
