In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has ordered the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to release the location details of an individual’s Aadhaar usage to police. This directive comes as part of efforts to trace a man’s son who has been missing since 2019, despite UIDAI’s initial refusal to share the data.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued this specific instruction, emphasizing that only the location of Aadhaar usage should be disclosed to the Hubballi-Dharwad police. This decision was made after the court recognized that certain Aadhaar data can only be divulged under the direct order of a High Court, as stipulated by Section 33(1) of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
The court’s order stems from a petition filed by Krishnamurthy, a resident of Hubballi. His son, Vijay K.S., disappeared in December 2019 while undergoing an apprenticeship at a technology servicing company, prompting this legal battle for information.
Crucially, the High Court clarified that no other Aadhaar-related details, beyond the location of its usage, are to be provided. Furthermore, the court mandated that the police must strictly limit the sharing of this information solely for the purpose of their investigation, ensuring privacy is maintained to the greatest extent possible.