Court: Supreme Court of India · Date: 24 August 2017 · Citation: (2017) 10 SCC 1
Bench: Nine-Judge Bench
Case
K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (Privacy)
Facts
A nine-judge reference arose in the Aadhaar-era challenges, asking whether privacy is a fundamental right after conflicting earlier authorities.
Legal issues
Is privacy a fundamental right under the Constitution of India?
Law / provisions
Articles 14, 19, 21; overruling contrary strands in earlier precedents.
Holding
Privacy is a fundamental right, rooted primarily in Article 21 (and related freedoms). Earlier contrary strands were overruled. Proportionality / legitimate aim analysis guides State intrusions into privacy.
Key takeaways
- Privacy is a fundamental right — not a statutory courtesy.
- State surveillance / data programmes must meet constitutional tests, not only policy convenience.
- Later Aadhaar and data-protection litigation builds on this judgment.
Significance
Constitutional cornerstone for data protection, surveillance, and informational privacy disputes.
Primary source
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/91938676/
Verify the operative paragraphs on the court / reportable text. Indian Kanoon and similar mirrors are research aids, not certified copies.
Education desk note — Advocate Adesh Kumar — advadeshkumar.com
Educational content only. Not legal advice. Not solicitation. Not an official certified copy.