SC directs government towards stricter vigilance on SIM registrations
Aadhaar card may be made compulsory for verification.
In Short
- The number of mobile phone subscribers in the country till February 2016 is a huge 105 cr.
- The step comes in wake of the security threats posed using fake numbers.
- 5.25 cr Mobile buyers are not verified inspite of directions given by SC.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Modi government to ensure 100 per cent verification of mobile phone subscribers with regard to their identity, their addresses and ensuring that no fake or unverified identities should be accepted while issuing SIM cards.
"You should start process to ensure 100 per cent identification. Issuing mobile chip to people is not a child's play. Several aspects need to be taken care of. Tell us how do we start it? You have the best of experts. Put in place a process by which mobile subscribers are subjected to scrutiny as to ensure appropriate identification," a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar told the lawyer who appeared for Centre while hearing a PIL on the issue. The Centre has been given four weeks' time for it.
Also read | Exclusive: CRPF working on mobile app for its 3 lakh jawans
Senior lawyer Ashok Dhamija who appeared for the NGO Lokniti Foundation, the petitioner, said the directions were being sought in view of the fact that even as of today about 5.25 crore mobile phone subscribers (about 5 per cent of total) are unverified, in spite of earlier directions given by the apex court.
"Unverified SIM cards pose a serious threat to country's security as they are routinely used in criminal and terrorist activities. Mobile phones containing unverified SIM cards have also been used in certain other terrorism-related cases in India, such as the Mecca Masjid Hyderabad blast cases, Mumbai terror attack, Jaipur bombings, Ahmadabad serial blasts. Moreover, criminals and anti-social elements routinely use SIM cards obtained on the basis of forged/stolen ID documents to commit heinous crimes like kidnappings, extortion and other organised crimes in all parts of the country," said the PIL.
It sought a Mobile Subscribers Verification Policy in order to achieve the goal of zero per cent defective customer acquisition forms, saying in February 2016, the number of phone subscribers was about 105 crores.
"While easy access to mobile phones in India has resulted in several benefits to the citizens, it has also led to increased threat of potential misuse of mobile phones for anti-national and criminal activities," it said.
It said Aadhaar card or such other biometric identification may be made compulsory for verification of the mobile phone subscribers that can ensure 100 per cent verification.
Also read | Pathankot attack: How Facebook, mobile phones helped NIA nail Masood Azhar gang