Centre tells SC that some more time is needed to conclude hearing in the case

The deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes run by the government may be further extended beyond March 31, the Union government indicated in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The Centre said that since some more time would be needed to conclude the prolonged hearing in the Aadhaar case, the government may extend the deadline from March 31.

A five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra agreed with the contention of Attorney General K.K. Venugopal.

“We have extended the deadline in the past and we will extend the deadline again but we may do it by the end of month to enable the petitioners in the case conclude the arguments,” Mr. Venugopal said.

“It is a very valid point raised by the Attorney General and the court would not allow repetitive arguments made by the petitioners’ counsel in the matter,” Chief Justice Misra observed.

On December 15 last year, the court had extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes run by the government.