Supreme Court likely to hear plea against mandatory use of Aadhaar today

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will likely hear a plea on Tuesday challenging the Aadhaar Act and the mandatory use of the unique identification number in at least 17 government schemes.

Although Aadhaar has been embroiled in legal tussles since 2012,this is the first time the contents of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 are being challenged.

Child rights activist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Shanta Sinha has moved the apex court arguing that some of the schemes for which Aadhaar is mandatory fall outside the purview of the Aadhaar law.

The accuracy of biometrics is highly doubtful and that will exclude certain beneficiaries.The petition also talks about alleged civil rights violations, and the potential use of the unique identification number for mass surveillance.

The case will be heard by a bench comprising justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan who heard petitions challenging the government's decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for filing income-tax returns (ITRs) as well as for obtaining and retaining the permanent account number (PAN).

The court reserved its verdict in that case last week.The verdict of that constitution bench, which is yet to be constituted, will seal the fate of Aadhaar.