Chhattisgarh HC modifies order that made Aadhaar mandatory for bail

The Chhattisgarh HC had passed an order that while observing the bail and surety papers, the trial court should obtain the Aadhaar card to curb the submission of forged documents.

Nearly a month after the Chhattisgarh high court made Aadhaar mandatory for being released on bail, it has modified its order to say that now any identification document such as voter ID, passport and PAN card can be submitted for being released.

A person giving finger impression at an Aadhaar Card centre in Kolkata.(Mint File)

In its modified order, the HC said, “... considering that the validity of the instrument of Aadhaar itself is under consideration by the Supreme Court, submission of Aadhaar Card may not be made mandatory.”

In the order issued on Thursday, the HC added, “While examining the surety papers, the trial Court shall obtain documents of identification like Aadhaar Card or voter ID or PAN card or passport of the surety. The identification of the accused may be established by the prosecution, which may form part of the police case diary or the charge sheet.”

To curb the submission of forged documents, the HC, in January, had passed an order that while observing the bail and surety papers, the trial court should obtain the Aadhaar card.