Justice KS Puttaswamy, a former judge of the Karnataka High Court renowned for his pivotal legal battle challenging the Aadhaar scheme, passed away at his residence in Bengaluru on Monday at the age of 98.
Known for his commitment to judicial integrity, Justice Puttaswamy’s 2012 legal challenge marked a significant moment in Indian constitutional law.
Justice KS Puttaswamy filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court in 2012 questioning the constitutionality of the Aadhaar scheme, which had been introduced by the central government via an executive order without legislative backing.
His petition argued that the scheme infringed on individual privacy rights, sparking a nationwide debate on the balance between state welfare programs and citizens’ rights. This legal battle culminated in a landmark 2018 judgment where a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld Aadhaar’s validity with conditions while recognizing the right to privacy as a fundamental right under the Constitution.
Justice Puttaswamy’s legal journey began in 1952 when he enrolled as an advocate. After studying at Maharaja’s College in Mysuru and Government Law College in Bengaluru, he was appointed a judge of the Karnataka High Court on November 28, 1977, serving until his retirement in 1986.
Post-retirement, he was named Vice-Chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal’s Bengaluru Bench and later held prominent positions, including Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal and the AP Commission for Backward Classes in Hyderabad.
