Let Mamata file a petition as an individual: SC on Aadhaar-benefit linking

CM of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee's petition to the Supreme Court against making Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of various social welfare schemes did not go down too well with the Apex body.

According to a report by The Hindu, it said,"How can the State of West Bengal come here directly? Let Mamata Banerjee come and file a petition as a citizen."  Justice A.K Sikri, addressing Kapil Sibal, senior advocate of West Bengal further said, "How can a State challenge a law passed by the Centre? Tomorrow the Centre will come against laws by the States." The state had filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, which can be used only by individuals to approach the Supreme Court against state actions
which violate their fundamental rights. It also said that Article 32 cannot be agitated by State against the Centre.

Earlier the Trinamool leader and the Chief Minister of West Bengal said that she won't link her Aadhaar number with phone number and also dared the Centre to disconnect her number for disobedience. According to the New Indian Express, she said, "What does BJP want? Do they want to listen to people’s secrets? It’s a direct attack on privacy."

Meanwhile, the Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it has extended the deadline to link Aadhaar to March 31, 2018 for people who do not possess the card, but are willing to enroll. 
 

• india
• aadhaar
• supreme court
• benefits