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The unique identity or UID that the government wants to introduce across the country has been  in court over privacy concerns since it uses biometric data like fingerprint..
 
The apex court has already ruled that Aadhar card can be used voluntarily only for availing subsidies under the public distribution system and purchasing kerosene and cooking gas.

 

The Centre, Reserve Bank of India, stock market watchdog SEBI, telecom regulator TRAI, and a number of states moved the Supreme Court for extending the voluntary use of Aadhar card to other services.
 
During hearing on Tuesday, petitioners  opposing Aadhar argued that since there was no law on forsaking privacy of citizens and the debate had been referred to a larger panel, this bench of three judges should not hear it.
 
Countering this,  Attorney General  Mukul Rohatgi said, "We don't know when the larger bench will be constituted. It may take few months and till such time, should citizens wait? This court opened its doors at 2 am for an individual, can the court shut for crores of people?"

TRAI asserted that since the mandatory use of the Aadhar card had been stopped by the Supreme Court, it was now "easy" for terrorists to get mobile connections.
 
On conclusion of the hearing, the court  said it will pass orders at 3:30 pm on Wednesday.