20-05-2025
Impossible to compare fingerprints of the dead with Aadhaar database, UIDAI tells Madras High Court
It is impossible to compare the fingerprints of a deceased with the Aadhaar database and provide demographic information to the police for the purpose of ascertaining the identity of an unknown body, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has told the Madras High Court.
In a counter affidavit filed before Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, the UIDAI said, the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 imposes severe restrictions on sharing information. Further, there were technology constraints in culling out information about the dead, it added.
The submissions were made in response to a writ petition (criminal) filed by the State of Tamil Nadu represented by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tindivanam Sub Division, Villupuram district, seeking a direction to the UIDAI to provide the demographic details of an unidentified body using its fingerprints.
Central government senior panel counsel K. Srinivasamurthy said, UIDAI was a statutory body functioning under the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). The object of the 2016 Aadhaar Act, as amended in 2019, was to empower residents of India with a unique identity proof.
The UIDAI issues a 12-digit Aadhaar number after a person undergoes enrolment by submitting demographic as well as biometric information. The prime object of the Aadhaar Act was to ensure targeted delivery of government subsidies, benefits and services to the beneficiaries, the counsel said.
Aadhaar not used to track other activities
He also submitted a counter affidavit signed by UIDAI Deputy Director Priya Sreekumar who asserted that 'Aadhaar number is not used to track other activities of the resident' and that Chapter VI of the Aadhaar Act requires the UIDAI to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to individual records.
She pointed out Section29(1) of the Act categorically states that no core biometric information, collected or created under the Act, should be shared with anyone for any reason whatsoever; or used for any purpose other than generation of Aadhaar numbers and authentication under the Act.
The Deputy Director said, Section 33 (1) states only the identity information or authentication records (but not core biometric information) could be disclosed that too if a High Court or the Supreme Court passes a specific order for such disclosure after hearing the individual concerned as well as the UIDAI.
The only provision which permits sharing of core biometrics too was Section 33(2) which could be invoked in the interest of national security in pursuance of a direction issued by an officer not below the rank of Secretary to Government of India if he/she had been specially authorised through a government order.
Not suitable for forensic purposes
Ms. Sreekumar also said, UIDAI does not collect biometric information (such as iris scan and fingerprints) based on technologies, standards or procedures suitable for forensic purposes and therefore, it would be impossible to cull out data related to an individual from sample fingerprints lifted from a body.
'The Aadhaar technology only permits biometric authentications which are done on a 1:1 basis (where one's biometric is matiched against its own biometrics for verification or authentication) for which it is necessary to have the Aadhaar number of an individual. There are technology constraints in matching the fingerpint collected on paper or other material with the Aadhaar database,' the Deputy Director added.
'In the light of the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and the technology constraints, it is most respectfully submitted that it is not possible for UIDAI to compare the sample fingerprints of the deceased with the fingerprint data of UIDAI and provide information to the petitioner,' she said.
After taking the counter affidavit on file, the judge directed the High Court Registry to list the matter again on June 12 for further hearing.
