UIDAI responds after outrage over FIR against Tribune reporter

CHANDIGARH: Following outrage on social media over registration of FIR against The Tribune reporter who exposed Aadhaar data breach, the Unique Identification Authority of India has said the FIR has been filed to ensure a proper investigation into the incident.

Photo for representational purpose only.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7

Following outrage on social media over registration of FIR against The Tribune reporter who exposed Aadhaar data breach, the Unique Identification Authority of India has said the FIR has been filed to ensure a proper investigation into the incident.

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The UIDAI issued following statement:

“Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said today that in the recent case of The Tribune's report in which an FIR is filed, an impression is being created in media that UIDAI is targeting the media or whistleblowers or "shooting the messenger". This is not at all true. This is a case in which even though there was no breach of Aadhaar biometric database, because UIDAI takes every criminal violation seriously, it is for the act of unauthorised access, criminal proceedings have been initiated.

UIDAI respects free speech, including the Freedom of Press and Media. It has to be understood that whenever a crime is noticed, the person concerned is required to report in the form of FIR (First Information Report) to police in which the entire details of the crime and the incident have to be disclosed to the police.

The full details of the incident as available needs to be provided with the names of persons known or unknown connected with the incident in the FIR complaint so that police or the investigating agency can take up a full and fair investigation and bring the culprits to justice. It does not necessarily mean that everyone mentioned in the FIR is a culprit unless after a thorough and fair investigation the person is chargesheeted and proved to be guilty beyond doubt in the court of law.”

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