Alka Verma –
Published On: September 16, 2021, at 11:40 IST
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 7 ruled out that Aadhar Card cannot be used for valid proof of age.
The Court clarified that the 12-digit identification number cannot be used as age proof and for a long time Indians are continuously trying to use Aadhaar as age proof.
The Court also stated no documents are asked at the time of enrollment for Aadhar, hence it can’t be used as proof.
A single Judge Bench comprising Justice Amol Rattan Singh stated these observations while it was dealing with a petition filed by a Married Couple, seeking for Protection of Life and Liberty.
The Court, without doing many counter-questions on the validity of Marriage, asked the State Authorities to ensure the safety of the Couple.
The Court further directed the states to make sure that the Life and Liberty of the Couple is protected as it is a Fundamental Right of every citizen of India under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Karandeep S Sidhu, Counsel appearing for petitioners stated that he got confirmed from the couple and neither the two are in any Prohibited Relation, nor any of the two has been married earlier.
At last, the Court stated that the both don’t have any age proof other than Aadhar, which eventually is not valid proof, “If any of the petitioners are found to be below the marriageable age in terms of the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, this order shall not be construed to be a bar on any proceedings initiated under that Act, the offences committed under that Act being cognizable in terms of Section 15 thereof.”
For now, the Court has granted protection to the couple and has ordered the State Authorities to follow the same.
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