SC Extends Aadhaar Linking Deadline Indefinitely

New Delhi: In a major relief for the public, the Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar with mobile phones, bank accounts and other government services indefinitely. Issuing a directive in this regard, the apex court has stated that its interim order shall remain in force till further verdict.

However, the deadline extension will not be applicable for subsidies or direct transfers  under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.

A five-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhusan said that the government cannot insist for mandatory Aadhaar linking of mobile phones, bank accounts and other services. The bench of the apex court will be hearing pleas seeking a stay on the decision for making Aadhar linking mandatory.

The court has also passed a significant order that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for issuance of Tatkal passport.

Earlier on December 15 last year, the Court had set March 31, 2018 as the deadline for linking of Aadhaar with various services and public welfare schemes.