Calcutta High Court Debates Aadhaar’s Role in Citizenship
Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by News Desk
The Calcutta High Court has heard arguments regarding whether an Aadhaar number is proof of citizenship or domicile. Senior counsel Laxmi Gupta, representing the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), argued that it does not, citing the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Act.
Gupta argued that an Aadhaar card is meant for residents staying in India for at least 182 days, primarily to facilitate targeted government subsidies.
The case was brought forward by the Joint Forum against NRC, which aimed to strike down regulation 28A of the Aadhaar Act, 2023, which specifically addresses foreign nationals. UIDAI’s counsel argued that the petition is not maintainable, as it pertains to individuals who are not Indian citizens.
Sen argued that regulation 28A should be struck down, as it becomes diabolical when read with regulation 29. Additional Solicitor General Ashoke Kumar Chakraborty countered that the PIL was not maintainable because it did not challenge section 54 of the Aadhaar Act 2023, from which the regulations derive.
The division bench, including Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, has scheduled the next hearing for July 11.
