Context : Key Verdict
- Supreme Court ruling: Digital access is now recognized as an integral part of the fundamental right to life and liberty under Article 21.
- Judgment authored by: Justice R. Mahadevan, with Justice J.B. Pardiwala on the Bench.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity , Fundamental Rights, Judiciary)
Context of the Case
- Petition focus: Highlighted the digital exclusion of persons with disabilities during mandatory procedures like digital KYC (Know Your Customer).
- Barrier to access: Many marginalised individuals struggle to navigate digital platforms, affecting their access to governance and welfare services.
Key Observations by the Court
- Inclusivity emphasized: Court underscored that digital transformation must include the disabled, underprivileged, and historically excluded.
- State’s obligation: The government is constitutionally bound to create an inclusive digital ecosystem.
- Warning against exclusion: Highlighted the risk that rapid digitization without accessibility measures could entrench social inequalities.
Broader Constitutional Implication
- Article 21 expanded: The judgment reinforces that right to life and liberty includes dignified, equitable digital access.
- Link to welfare state: Digital exclusion undermines access to benefits, violating the spirit of social justice.
Impact and Way Forward
- Policy reform push: Urges the government to redesign digital platforms to be disability-friendly and universally accessible.
- Tech with empathy: Reinforces that tech-led governance must not leave behind the most vulnerable.
- Legal precedent: Sets a significant benchmark for future digital rights and accessibility jurisprudence in India.
