Supreme Court declares right to privacy as Fundamental right under constitution

24 August,New Delhi

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court Thursday declared right to privacy a fundamental right under the constitution.

A nine-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar ruled that right to privacy is an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21 and entire Part III of the Constitution.

The nine judges unanimously overruled the two earlier judgements of the apex court that right to privacy is not protected under the Constitution.

Several petitioners had challenged the validity of the Aadhaar scheme on grounds of it being violative of the right to privacy.

The court had also voiced concern over the possible misuse of personal information in the public domain. The question whether Aadhaar violates right to privacy will be dealt with by the five-judge bench which has been hearing the petitions since 2015.