Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.

Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.), a former judge, challenged the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and raised concerns regarding the collection and storage of personal and biometric information by the State. During the Aadhaar proceedings, a question arose as to whether the Constitution of India guarantees a fundamental right to privacy. The Union of India relied on earlier decisions, particularly M.P. Sharma v. Satish Chandra and Kharak Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh, to question the existence of such a fundamental right. A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court was constituted to determine the constitutional status of privacy. On 24 August 2017, the Court unanimously held that the right to privacy is a constitutionally protected fundamental right, forming an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 and also connected with the freedoms guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution. The Court also recognized informational privacy and held that any State interference with privacy must satisfy constitutional requirements including legality, legitimate State aim and proportionality.

Privacy is a constitutionally protected right which emerges primarily from the guarantee of life and personal liberty in Article 21.†

The trial and appellate records examined key witness testimonies, documentary proof, and primary investigative reports.

Official registers and case diary entries documented the factual sequence and statutory triggers under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India; Fundamental Right to Privacy.†

The Petitioner argued against arbitrary enforcement, while the Respondent maintained statutory legitimacy and public interest.

The Supreme Court of India deliberated on constitutional safeguards, statutory interpretation, and judicial precedents.¶8

The ruling established binding precedent under Article 141 of the Constitution of India, shaping subsequent jurisprudence.¶12