In a key ruling amid Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls ahead of state elections, the Supreme Court supported the Election Commission of India’s position: Aadhaar cannot be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship it must undergo independent verification. Justice Surya Kant cited Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, underlining that Aadhaar is merely an identity document, not evidence of nationality.

While the Election Commission maintains its authority under Article 324 and relevant election laws to set verification standards, petitioners represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal raised concerns that excluded names without thorough checks risk mass disenfranchisement, especially when former voters are re-registered and removals happen without field surveys.

Further, the Court emphasized the need to protect the democratic right to vote, by confirming that Aadhaar alone cannot serve as grounds for inclusion or exclusion in voter lists without due process.