Supreme Court Announces Fundamental Right to Access Digital Services: SC Order Amends KYC Specifications for Victims of Visual Impairment and Acid Attack
The Supreme Court made a major judgment on the right to access digital services on Wednesday (30.04.2025). SC said access to digital services is a fundamental right. This is an important part of Article 21 Right to Life. After this, the Supreme Court ordered the simplification of the Knowledge Group Client (KYC) procedures for people with visual impairment, including acid attack survivors, to facilitate access to essential services.
The Supreme Court judge, composed of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, made a decision when he heard two petitions for public interest related to digital visits and KYC procedures for individuals with visual impairment.
The court directed the government to provide digital services including digital services provided by everyone, including KYC, including persons with disabilities and acid attack survivors with facial disfigurement. This is the fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, ensuring equality, non-discrimination and protection of life and freedom. To achieve this goal, the court issued 20 specific instructions to the government.
The judgment was after nine acid attack survivors approached the Supreme Court, requiring guidance for themselves and others injured or permanent eye damage to facilitate digital identity verification (KYC).
Survivors believe that acid attacks cause permanent damage to their eyes and students, making daily tasks such as opening a bank account or purchasing a SIM card extremely challenging.
After that, the court ruled that access to digital services is a fundamental component of the constitutional right to life.
The court said it has issued several instructions to ensure that those with visual impairments or other such challenges can complete the KYC process.
“We believe that the KYC process for persons with disabilities needs to be changed. We have given 20 instructions. Petitioners who are subject to acid attacks and blindness cannot complete the KYC process. Due to facial disfigure, the constitutional provisions give the petitioner a constitutional provision within the scope of kyc Procession, within the scope of kyc guiders. And so on, is through digital (access), which requires reinterpretation of Article 21 based on this increase in technology and digital divide.”
The detailed judgment has not been released yet.
