Noting that the usages like ‘legitimate State interest’ and ‘larger public interest’ mean one and the same, the UIDAI on Tuesday argued that linking of PAN card with Aadhaar does not amount to a violation of fundamental right to privacy.
On his first day of arguments before a Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the UIDAI said the Supreme Court itself had formerly upheld the constitutional validity of Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act which mandates Aadhaar-PAN linkage.
He submitted that the linkage promoted the legitimate fight against crimes such as black money, money laundering. He argued that citizens have already submitted their demographic details and even biometrics like fingerprints for PAN, which was introduced way back in 1989. They cannot now seek exemption on the sole ground of privacy.
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