New Delhi, May 17 – The Supreme Court on Friday requested a response from the Centre, the Reserve Bank of India, and others regarding a plea for an alternative digital KYC (Know Your Customer) process for acid attack survivors and individuals with permanent eye damage.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notices to the Union government, Reserve Bank of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and other relevant parties. “We will issue notice. This is an important issue, and we will hear it,” the bench stated.
The plea was filed by nine acid attack survivors, including activist Pragya Prasun, who sought an alternative digital KYC process for those with eye disfigurement resulting from acid attacks.
The petition highlighted the case of one of the petitioners who, in 2023, was unable to open a bank account at ICICI Bank due to severe eye damage from an acid attack. The bank required a “live photograph” involving eye blinking, which the petitioner could not complete.
The plea argued that many acid attack victims with permanent eye disfigurement face similar challenges, preventing them from obtaining SIM cards or opening bank accounts independently. These barriers hinder their access to essential goods and services, affecting their ability to live with dignity, autonomy, and equality.
The petition urged the Centre to expand or clarify the definition of “live photograph” to include alternative criteria such as facial movements or voice recognition, thereby making digital KYC processes accessible to all.
