New Delhi, 13 April (H.S.):

The Supreme Court of India, presided over by Chief Justice Surya Kant, has issued notices to the Central Government and the Election Commission on a petition seeking mandatory facial and biometric identification for voters prior to casting ballots.

Filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay, the petition initially faced court hesitation. The bench noted that acceding to such demands would necessitate sweeping regulatory amendments alongside substantial financial burdens.

Upadhyay countered that implementation was feasible through state government collaboration. The court responded that state non-cooperation or Finance Ministry budgetary reticence might compel future litigation, deeming immediate notices unnecessary. Upon Upadhyay's clarification that the plea transcended mere five-state confines, embracing national scope, the bench mandated issuance of notices forthwith.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar