The Supreme Court on Monday approved the government‘s plan to record the identification details of mobile subscribers through an e-KYC (Know Your Customer) mechanism linked to Aadhaar in a bid to enhance national security and prevent fake users. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar asked the government, represented by Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, to put in place the mechanism within a year. The mechanism ould cover at least 100 crore mobile phone subscribers, 90% of whom use pre-paid cards.
Mr. Rohatgi submitted that all new mobile connections were provided through Aadhaar-based e-KYC. The court was considering a petition by NGO Lokniti Foundation, which had contended that fake SIM cards were a major threat to national security.
