Supreme Court: Aadhaar Card Not Valid for Age Verification in Compensation Cases
The Supreme Court of India has recently ruled that Aadhaar cards are not valid proof of age, especially in legal matters involving compensation for road accident victims. This decision reverses a previous ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had accepted an Aadhaar card as age proof for a deceased victim.
Focus on Reliable Documents for Age Verification
A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that Aadhaar cards are designed primarily for identity verification and do not reliably establish age. The court underscored the need for official documents, such as school leaving certificates, to verify age accurately. This aligns with Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which endorses using legitimate records for precise age determination.
UIDAI and Government Guidelines Reinforce Ruling
The Supreme Court referred to a circular from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which states that while Aadhaar verifies identity, it is not conclusive for date of birth. Additionally, a memorandum from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, dated December 20, 2018, clarified Aadhaar’s limitations for age verification, further supporting the court’s stance.
Case Background: Age Calculation Dispute
The case stemmed from a compensation claim filed by the family of a man who died in a road accident in 2015. Initially, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Rohtak awarded ₹19.35 lakh in compensation to the family. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court later reduced this to ₹9.22 lakh, citing an error in age calculation. The high court had used the deceased’s Aadhaar card, which listed his age as 47, instead of his school leaving certificate, which recorded him as 45 at the time of death.
The family argued that using the correct age from the school leaving certificate would yield higher compensation. The Supreme Court upheld this argument, ruling that age must be accurately determined using trustworthy documents.
Impact of the Ruling
This ruling establishes an important precedent for future cases involving age verification, emphasizing the necessity of reliable documentation. By prioritizing official records like school certificates over Aadhaar cards, the court aims to ensure fair compensation in legal proceedings.
This decision underscores the need for legal professionals and authorities to adhere to proper protocols for age verification, reducing errors and disputes. It also highlights the importance of following guidelines on the use of Aadhaar, ensuring accurate information in legal matters.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the significance of using reliable documents for age verification. As India continues to navigate the complexities of legal documentation, this decision provides a clear directive to prioritize precision and trustworthiness, especially in compensation cases.
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