Interim Directions Issued to Jail Superintendents to Utilize Aadhaar Apps for Quick Verification; UIDAI Involvement Sought
In a significant move to address delays in the bail release process, the Delhi High Court, in the case of Court On Its Own Motion v. Director General of Prisons, Govt of NCT of Delhi, has issued interim directions aimed at expediting the verification process for prisoners granted bail. The court highlighted the unacceptable delays by Jail Superintendents in verifying bail bonds, which is causing undue detention of prisoners who have been granted bail.
The division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Amit Mahajan noted the inefficiencies in the current system, citing instances where the verification process took from one day to as long as fifty-six days. To combat this, the court has mandated the use of Aadhaar-based mobile applications such as the Aadhaar QR scanner, mAadhaar, and the Aadhaar App for the quick verification of sureties.
The court emphasized the need for electronic communication between jail authorities, banks, and other relevant entities to facilitate quicker processing. Additionally, banks are now required to promptly respond to verification requests sent via email, with Jail Superintendents authorized to communicate the court's orders to ensure compliance.
Furthermore, the court has sought an affidavit from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to clarify the implementation of Aadhaar-based verification in jails and to ensure that the directions from similar cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Karnataka High Court are being effectively implemented across the country.
The decision is part of a Suo Motu petition initiated after observing delays in the acceptance of bail bonds, which contradicted the purpose of bail orders aimed at temporarily releasing individuals from imprisonment. The court's directive aims to streamline the verification process, reduce unnecessary detention, and uphold the right to timely justice.
The case will be revisited on August 14, 2026, to assess the progress made in implementing these directions and to further refine the process if necessary.
Bottom line:-
Delay in accepting bail bonds by Jail Superintendents is a matter of concern, and steps must be taken to expedite the process of verification and release of prisoners on bail.
Statutory provision(s): Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020
