It is necessary to reduce digital division
The court said that when most welfare schemes and government services are being provided through online mediums, it has now become a requirement to abolish digital divide, so that every citizen can get the right to dignified life. In this context, the court linked access to digital services to Article 21 (right to life and personal freedom) of the Indian Constitution.
Digital change should be based on equality- SC
The Supreme Court said in its judgment that in today's era, when access to essential services, governance, education, health and economic opportunities is done through digital platforms, the right to life (Article 21) should be interpreted keeping in mind the technical realities. He said that digital inequality keeps not only the disabled, but also the rural population, senior citizens, economically weaker sections and linguistic minorities out of the system. The court also said that the principle of digital transformation should be based on objective equality and it is necessary to make it inclusive and justified. The court admitted that acid attack victims and blind people are preserved under Rights of Persons with Disabilitys Act, 2016 and they require proper arrangements and access in the Digital KYC process.
What was the demand in the petition?
Two petitions were heard in which the first petition was Pragya Prasoon vs. Center seeking alternative KYC process for acid attack victims and persons with permanent damage. At the same time, the second petition was Amar Jain vs. Government of India, stating that those who are completely blind and face regular difficulties in digital KYC. The petitions stated that taking selfies, signing, print and scanning the form, signing the mouse on the screen, and things like the short deadline of OTP are obstructs for disabled persons, who violates their constitutional rights. The Cort has issued 20 instructions on these grounds.