New Delhi, April 9: Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, requesting that the Aadhaar registration process in India be restricted to children aged six and under. He argues that there is no need for adults to obtain Aadhaar, as 1.44 billion people, or 99 percent of the population, already have it.
The petition highlights that the ongoing registration of Aadhaar for adults is being exploited by foreign nationals. Individuals from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Rohingya infiltrators are reportedly visiting Common Service Centers (CSCs) to obtain fraudulent Aadhaar cards for a fee. This trend is leading to an increase in fake documents, posing a threat to national security and population balance.
Upadhyay also proposed that applications for Aadhaar for individuals over six years old should be submitted only at the offices of the Tehsildar or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). This change would help control the issuance of fake Aadhaar cards. Previously, Aadhaar was only issued at Tehsil offices, but the current CSC system has allowed for more leniency and exploitation by infiltrators.
Additionally, the petition calls for clear display boards at CSCs or Tehsil offices where Aadhaar is issued. These boards should state that creating or obtaining a fake Aadhaar is a serious crime, punishable by up to five years in prison. This regulation should also apply to other documents like ration cards, driving licenses, and birth certificates.
The petition further suggests that individuals applying for Aadhaar, ration cards, or other documents should provide a written undertaking. This would require applicants to confirm that the information they provided is accurate and that they understand the serious consequences of creating fake documents. This measure aims to reduce instances of fraud in the future.
Upadhyay has also requested that those involved in creating fake documents receive consecutive sentences rather than concurrent ones. Currently, under Indian law, concurrent sentences mean that all penalties begin simultaneously, resulting in a reduced overall sentence. He proposes that if multiple charges are filed, the sentences should be served one after the other to enhance the deterrent effect.
He argues that fake documents, such as Aadhaar, ration cards, driving licenses, and birth certificates, threaten the country’s internal security, culture, brotherhood, and population balance. Therefore, he has urged the Supreme Court to take immediate action to halt Aadhaar registration for individuals over six years old. Only children whose parents or grandparents already possess Aadhaar should be eligible for registration. This approach would help curb fraud and maintain national security.
The petition emphasizes that Aadhaar registration should be limited to children under six, while all adults should complete the process at Tehsil or SDM offices. This change would significantly reduce the issue of fake Aadhaar cards and strengthen security and law enforcement in the country.
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