The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) asked the Centre, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, and public sector oil companies to respond to a plea challenging mandatory biometric Aadhaar authentication for LPG consumers seeking to access subsidised refills at regulated prices.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, and Justice Sanjay Sharma issued notices on the PIL filed by lawyer Pulkit Luthra and granted the respondents two weeks to file their replies. Mr. Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, defended the decision, saying it was aimed at preventing the misuse of government subsidies. He assured the court that the concerns of persons with disabilities would be addressed. Senior advocate Zoheb Hossain, appearing for Mr. Luthra, submitted that the government’s decision was contrary to the law and the Supreme Court’s judgment on Aadhaar.
The matter will be heard next on November 18. Luthra, who has a 75% permanent visual disability, argued that the mandatory biometric authentication process, which includes iris scanning, poses significant difficulties for persons with visual impairments and others who may be unable to complete the verification. He urged the court to consider interim relief at the next hearing, contending that LPG supplies under the earlier arrangement had been stopped from October 1. The PIL challenges the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas’s September 17 communication to Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, followed by a September 19 press release setting out the authentication requirements. The petitioner claimed that the mandate affects 3.16 crore consumers and lacks statutory backing, arguing that it exceeds the scope of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
“There was a complete abuse of the subsidy given under the schemes. the disabled will be taken care of,” the Attorney General said.
