Aadhaar Act, Section 29 and illegal foreign nationals: Bombay High Court asks Centre to consider amendments

Direct fact

In July 2026, the Bombay High Court directed the Union government and UIDAI to consider amending the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, after a plea involving an Afghan national allegedly overstaying in India and using fraudulent Aadhaar-linked documents.

Key specifics

• Section 29 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, restricts disclosure of Aadhaar details and supporting documents.
• The case involved Majid Khan Shah Hajrat Shah, also called Miraj Tahir Khan, whom the State said was an Afghan national.
• The State alleged that the person entered India on a visa valid up to 2018 and overstayed thereafter.
• The Bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata said fraudulent Aadhaar cards create vulnerabilities in identity, immigration and security systems.
• The court directed deportation proceedings within 4 weeks and asked authorities to blacklist such persons and circulate photographs to police stations.

Exam lens

Polity and governance, Aadhaar Act, 2016, Section 29, Foreigners Act, Passport Act, Citizenship Act, 4-week deportation direction — a TNPSC question may ask which law limits Aadhaar data disclosure and which court asked for amendments.