HC allows woman to file I-T returns without quoting Aadhaar

The counsel for the woman contended that the directions issued by the apex court in the case make it clear that Aadhaar scheme was always meant to be voluntary.

The Madras high court on Tuesday allowed a woman to file her income tax returns without quoting Aadhaar number or Aadhaar enrolment number.

The petitioner also referred to similar petitions allowed by the Kerala High Court permitting people to file returns without quoting Aadhaar number or enrolment number. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Justice TS Sivagnanam passed the interim order on a plea by Preethi Mohan.

She had moved the court relying upon a Supreme Court decision in Binoy Viswam Vs Union of India case, in which it had imposed a partial stay on the operation of Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, which mandates linkage of Aadhaar with I-T returns.

The counsel for the woman contended that the directions issued by the apex court in the case make it clear that Aadhaar scheme was always meant to be voluntary.

“But despite a partial stay imposed by the apex court, the Income Tax department is acting in a manner directly opposed to the court order and are demanding linkage of Aadhaar,” the counsel submitted.

The petitioner also referred to similar petitions allowed by the Kerala High Court permitting people to file returns without quoting Aadhaar number or enrolment number.

“Accordingly, there will be an interim direction to the Income Tax department to permit the petitioner to file her returns for the assessment year 2017-18 either manually or through appropriate e-filing facility without insisting for Aadhaar number,” the judge said and posted the matter to December 18 for the I-T department to file its counter- affidavit.