Kochi, March 12 The Kerala High Court on Thursday criticized the Railway Board for not responding, despite being granted several months' time, on whether Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for tatkal ticket bookings.
A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M expressed their displeasure after the Board's counsel sought an additional three weeks to respond to the issue.
"For such a simple issue, you are taking so much time. You have not responded after several months have been given. If you are unable to respond, then we can decide the issue," the bench said.
The court adjourned the matter for three weeks and made it clear that the Board's response must be filed within that period.
The observations and directions by the bench came in response to a public interest litigation challenging a central government circular mandating Aadhaar-based authentication for tatkal bookings.
