Bengaluru: The high court on Monday directed Airports Authority of India (AAI) to submit its response on making downloading of Aarogya Setu application mandatory for air travel.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka gave this direction after counsel for the petitioner, in a PIL, claimed AAI had made downloading of the app compulsory for air passengers and instructions to this effect were issued on July 30 to airports across the country, including five airports in Karnataka.
The bench also directed the state to clear the air on the issue after it was mentioned that even the state’s guidelines for air passengers contained a similar reference.
Meanwhile, the Centre clarified in court that the fiat issued to central government employees regarding downloading of the app is only an advisory and voluntary in nature.
In the memo filed before the court, the Centre claimed that the SOP was issued on June 4 by the Union ministry of health and family welfare. The Centre said the advisory related to the app was intended to help users reduce risk of contracting Covid-19 and the apprehension of the petitioner is unsustainable.
As regards the petitioner’s complaint on making the app mandatory for Namma Metro passengers, the Centre stated that as of now, the issue is premature as Metro services have been suspended. The court was hearing a PIL filed by Anivar A Aravind, a Bengaluru resident who claims to be a digital rights activist associated with a New Delhi-based NGO. He claims Aarogya Setu protocol violates the right to privacy and other fundamental rights of citizens.
