Scan and Scrutinize? SC to Decide Fate of QR Mandate on Pilgrim Route

Image Source: The Law Advice

A fresh legal plea was filed against the Uttar Pradesh government and the government of Uttarakhand's order making QR codes mandatory to be displayed by food stalls on the Kanwar Yatra route that reveal ownership information. The Supreme Court will hear the plea on July 15, filed by Professor Apoorvanand Jha, on the grounds that the order violates constitutional rights and is against an earlier court stay.

Essential Points in the Plea

1. Violation of Privacy and SC Orders Allegedly
- The directive calls for QR-code-type permits, and public exhibition of employee and owner identities
- Petitioners contend that this circumvents the Supreme Court's 2024 temporary injunction prohibiting compelled revelations of identity
- The plea cites Articles 14, 15, 17, 19, and 21 as being violated

2. Concerns on Religious Profiling
- The QR codes allegedly enable religious and caste identification of the vendors
- The petition threatens to be misused by the authorities and vigilante groups
- It contends that posting such an advertisement is not legally warranted and not required for food safety

3. State’s Justification and Pushback
- UP and Uttarakhand cite Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, citing the directive encourages hygiene and transparency
- The states contend that the measures are temporary and non-discriminatory
- The directive is faulted for being vague and unfairly weighing on minority vendors

4. Relief Sought
- Concurrent removal of QR code requirements - Restriction of compliance with licensing to non-identifying terms - Affidavits of both states detailing how the directive is in line with earlier SC orders.

Sources: New Indian Express, MSN News, Tribune India, Deccan Herald, LawStreet Journal, Bar and Bench, NewsBytes India