Deceased’s fingerprints can’t be matched with Aadhaar data: Aadhaar Commission tells Chennai HC

Tamil Nadu : Aadhaar Commission has filed a reply in the Chennai High Court saying that it is impossible to compare the fingerprint of an unknown deceased person with Aadhaar data.

A petition has been filed in the Chennai High Court on behalf of Tindivanam DSP of Villupuram district, demanding an order to the Aadhaar Commission to compare the fingerprint of an unknown deceased person with Aadhaar data and provide details to establish his identity.

This petition was heard before Justice G.K. Ilandhirayan. At that time, Central Government Advocate Srinivasamurthy filed a reply on behalf of Priya Srikumar, Deputy Director of Aadhaar Commission in this case. It said, ‘There are strict legal restrictions to the extent that the collected or generated identity and biometric information related to the unique Aadhaar of a person cannot be shared with others for any other reason. The purpose of Aadhaar is to verify the details of the individual for various government activities, and the Commission does not intend to monitor the activities of individuals.

Similarly, it is not possible to compare the fingerprint of an unknown deceased with Aadhaar data. Even if the Supreme Court or High Court gives an order, the information related to that person will be shared only after hearing his opinion. It was said that since the commission does not collect the iris and fingerprint information of a person using techniques suitable for forensic investigation, it is impossible to compare the fingerprint of the deceased with the Aadhaar data. After this, the judge adjourned the hearing of the case till June 12.