Update on Anivar A Aravind v. Ministry of Home Affairs, GM PIL WP (C) 7483 of 2020

SFLC.in’s advisory board member Mr. Anivar A Arvind has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the voluntary-mandatory imposition of Aarogya Setu and invasion of privacy rights in the absence of a specific legislation governing data collection and processing by it. He is represented by Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, counsels from SFLC.in, Advocate Clifton D’ Rozario, Advocate Avani Choksi and Advocate Ali Zia Kabir in the matter.

So far, the Government of India through Ministry of Railways, Airports Authority of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation has stated on record that Aarogya Setu is not mandatory to avail rail or air services. The Airports Authority of India also had to revise their state-wise quarantine guidelines which had initially made Aarogya Setu mandatory. Similarly, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) withdrew its initial statement that Aarogya Setu was mandatory for metro commuters. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs also amended their draft Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) which had made Aarogya Setu mandatory for metro commuters. The now notified SoP by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs states that installation of Aarogya Setu is advisable in nature.

The matter was listed for hearing today i.e. 22.09.2020.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves informed the Court that the matter was listed for interim relief and pressed for interim relief prayers number II and III.

Interim prayer number II reads as “directing the respondents not to deny any service to a citizen for not installing the Aarogya Setu application, pending disposal of this writ petition”.

Interim prayer number III reads as “for an order restraining the respondents during the pendency of this petition from proceeding with the Aarogya Setu App and with the data collected, in any manner, whether the collection of data from members of the public is stated to be voluntary or involuntary”.

To this, the Court asked Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves what he meant with “proceeding with the App” to which Mr. Gonsalves responded that it means any data collection and processing exercise carried out by the State. He also informed the Court that in the absence of a specific legislation, such data collection and processing, voluntary or involuntary, is against the law established in Justice K. S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (WP(C) No. 494 of 2012).

Hon’ble Chief Justice Abhay Oka observed that if the government is directed to not deny services on the basis of (non)-installation of the App, then the use of Aarogya Setu becomes voluntary. He also asked the counsel for Union of India to respond on the question of whether anybody who voluntarily downloads the App, whether the state utilises the data collected from the user?

The Counsel for Union of India contended that the prayers by the petitioner are misconceived and seeks time to file a statement of objections.

The Court granted time to Union of India to file a statement of objections till 3rd October, 2020. The matter has been listed for hearing on 5th October, 2020.

To track the updates on Anivar A Aravind v. Ministry of Home Affairs, click here.

Also read our coverage of the matter here:

1. Aarogya Setu is optional for air passengers, Airport Authority of India informs Karnataka High Court

2. Karnataka High Court orders the State of Karnataka to clarify its stance on Aarogya Setu

3. Karnataka High Court allows amendment of petition in Aarogya Setu case: Update on petition challenging Aarogya Setu's voluntary-mandatory nature and lack of a specific legislation

4. Aarogya Setu is not mandatory for air or rail travel

5. Petition Challenging the de-facto imposition of Aarogya Setu in Karnataka High Court