Context
The Supreme court emphasized that digital access is a crucial component of the Right to Life under Article 21.
Key Highlights
- The judgment was based on a petition filed by a set of acid attack survivors.
- They raised concerns about how disabled people, which includes acid attack sufferers, discover it almost not possible to correctly complete the digital KYC tactics, which encompass visible responsibilities.
Supreme Court Ruling
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- The court said that the state has a responsibility to offer an inclusive digital environment to the marginalised, underprivileged, inclined, disabled, and traditionally-excluded sections of society.
- Directive to Improve KYC Accessibility:
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- The Court mandated that alternative verification mechanisms need to be brought for the ones unable to blink or use facial popularity.
- It is also referred to as for complete compliance with Section 46 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which mandates accessibility in digital and print media.
- Websites, mobile applications, and digital systems should be made compliant with widely wide-spread accessibility standards.
- The nation’s responsibilities under Article 21, with Articles 14, 15 and 38 of the Constitution, have to encompass the duty to ensure that digital infrastructure, government portals, and financial technologies are universally reachable.
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution
- No individual will be deprived of his life or personal liberty besides according to process established by law.
- Article 21 is part of the Fundamental Rights, Part III of the Constitution. It is assured to all humans, residents and non-residents alike.
- It places a restriction on the nation from arbitrarily interfering with a person’s life and liberty.
- Over time, courts have interpreted it to also impose positive obligations on the nation to ensure a dignified life.
Rights Included Under Article 21 ( Judicial Interpretation)
- Right to livelihood: Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)
- Right to clean environment: Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991)
- Right to education (previous to Article 21A): Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992)
- Right to privacy: Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)
- Right to die with dignity: Common Cause v. Union of India (2018)
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (2020)
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