SC extends deadline for linking Aadhaar

 The Supreme Count on Tuesday issued an interim order extending the deadline for linking Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts, mobile phone numbers, passports and other services indefinitely beyond the previous deadline of March 31. The Supreme Court said in a ruling that the mandatory linking of bank accounts and mobile phones will stand extended 'indefinitely' till judgement on the petitions pending before it is pronounced. The court also noted that Aadhaar could not be made mandatory for issuance of a Tatkal passport, for now. The extension would be applicable to the schemes of ministries/departments of the Union government as well as those of state governments, the court ruled in an interim order. It was however, clarified that the extension would not be applicable for availing services, subsidies and benefits under Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. A Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices D.Y. Chandrachud, A.K. Sikri, A.M. Khanwilkar and Ashok Bhushan is hearing a challenge to the constitutional basis of the 12-digit unique identification project, which is now likely to conclude after 31 March, the earlier deadline for Aadhaar linking.