The Bombay High Court has directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to process fresh Aadhaar enrollment applications of twin brothers whose Aadhaar records were caught in a prolonged biometric mismatch issue. The Court observed that genuine residents cannot be left “without an effective remedy” merely because of technical irregularities in the Aadhaar system.
Background Of The Case
The petition was filed by 19-year-old twin brothers Rohit Bandu Nikalje and Rahul Bandu Nikalje after repeated attempts to update their Aadhaar biometrics allegedly failed. According to the petitioners, their Aadhaar cards had originally been issued in 2012 when they were minors.
After attaining the required age for biometric updates, they approached UIDAI authorities in 2022 to update their records. However, their requests were repeatedly rejected due to biometric mismatch issues.
The brothers told the Court that they were shuffled between different procedures by the authorities. At one point, they were advised to apply for cancellation of their existing Aadhaar numbers and later informed that cancellation was no longer permissible. They were then asked to seek correction and updation, only to later learn that the Aadhaar numbers had already been suspended or cancelled.
The petitioners argued that the uncertainty had started affecting their educational admissions, insurance requirements and identity verification needs.
UIDAI informed the Court that the earlier Aadhaar records showed biometric mismatch and that the Aadhaar numbers were suspended or cancelled after technical verification as per applicable procedures. The authority argued that it could not mechanically update records once anomalous biometrics were detected because the integrity of the Aadhaar database had to be protected.
At the same time, UIDAI stated that the petitioners were free to apply afresh for Aadhaar enrollment with fresh biometric capture and supporting documents under the Aadhaar Act and relevant regulations.
A Division Bench of Justice Hiten S. Venegavkar and Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge noted that the real issue was not the biometric safeguards themselves, but the prolonged administrative uncertainty faced by the petitioners.
“The statutory scheme does not support an indefinite administrative limbo,” the bench observed while examining provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and Aadhaar (Enrollment and Update) Regulations, 2016.
The Court further said that while UIDAI was justified in maintaining safeguards against duplication and fraud, genuine residents should not be left remediless because of technical anomalies, especially where there was no allegation of impersonation or fraud.
The bench also expressed concern over increasing cases where citizens are compelled to approach constitutional courts due to Aadhaar-related technical problems such as biometric mismatch, deactivation or failed updation.
“It is not expected of a statutory authority dealing with foundational identity credentials to leave young students without a clear, written, time-bound remedy,” the Court said.
The High Court directed the petitioners to submit fresh Aadhaar enrollment applications with fresh biometric capture within 15 days before the concerned UIDAI office or Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
The Court ordered UIDAI authorities not to reject the applications merely because the earlier Aadhaar numbers had been suspended, deactivated or cancelled due to biometric mismatch. It further directed that the applications be processed within four weeks in accordance with law.
The bench clarified that if no legal impediment exists, fresh Aadhaar numbers and cards should be issued within the stipulated period. If the applications are rejected, the authorities must communicate a reasoned written order to the petitioners.
Case Details
Case Title: Rohit Bandu Nikalje & Anr. v. The Regional Officer, UIDAI & Ors.
Case Number: Writ Petition No. 10771 of 2025
Judges: Justice Hiten S. Venegavkar and Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge
Decision Date: May 6, 2026
