NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday came down hard on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar+ and emphasised that a state cannot challenge a law passed by the Union government.
"The controversy over Aadhaar needs examination but state government can’t file petition against a law passed by Parliament," a bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said.
The bench directed the chief minister to approach the court in an individual capacity if she wishes to challenge the provision which said that without Aadhaar, the benefits of social welfare schemes would not be extended.
"Individual can file petition against the Act but not a state government. Let CM Mamata Banerjee file plea as a citizen and we will hear her petition," the bench pronounced.
The Supreme Court also issued a notice to the central government on plea challenging mandatory linking of Aadhaar number with mobile connections and ordered it to file its response in four weeks time.
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