Can DNA be taken for Aadhaar, asks judge

Can DNA be taken for Aadhaar, asks judge

Context

An executive authority may even expand the meaning of biometrics

What has happened?

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud pointed out how the Aadhaar Act could allow the State, in future, to seek DNA, hair and even semen samples from citizens as “biometric information.”

Where the law is unclear?

In the Section 2(g) of the Aadhaar Act which defines biometrics.

Definition of biometric information:  photograph, finger print, iris scan, or such other biological attributes of an individual as may be specified by regulations.

The ambiguity

• The Act does not specify what the phrase ‘other biological attributes’ means
• Nor does the Act prescribe any limit to biometric information

Question raised by the Court

Whether Section 2(g) did not amount to “excessive delegation” of power to an executive authority