Aadhaar-linked issues to be decided by constitution bench: Supreme Court

Kolkata: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the concerned parties in Aadhaar matter to urge Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar to set up Constitution bench to finally decide on all related issues.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice J Chelameswar, asked the parties to urge the Chief Justice to set up a Constitution bench to decide the issues relating to Aadhaar.

The SC bench said this while hearing petitions challenging several government notifications mandating Aadhaar for availing government social benefit schemes.

"We suggest both of you (petitioners and the Centre) to request Chief Justice to constitute a larger bench so that these matters can be decided finally," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Navin Sinha, said.

On June 10, the Supreme Court had ruled that from July 1 onward, every person eligible to obtain Aadhaar must quote their Aadhaar number or their Aadhaar Enrolment ID number for filing of Income Tax Returns as well as for applications for Permanent Account Number (PAN).

The petitioners have challenged a series of 17 notifications making Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits including mid-day meal, disability pensions as well as for victims of Bhopal gas tragedy.