Thread by @Ahmedshabbir20

Madras High Court Chief Justice observes why not postpone the #Puducherry elections till misuse of #Aadhar data inquiry by BJP is concluded?

ECI says #BJP did not obtain their permission to carry out bulk SMS campaign.

Court direct ECI to continue their investigation.

https://twitter.com/Ahmedshabbir20/status/1374788766120824838

UPDATE: Aadhar data used for targeted campaigning of voters by #BJP in #Puducherry. Petitioner is Anand DYFI president, respondent 2 is ECI & 6 is BJP.

This is the status report submitted by the Election Commission of India in the Madras High Court on allegations that #BJP had access to private data linked with Aadhar in Puducherry.

The Chief & District Election Officers have given a report that #BJP did not obtain pre certification and prior permission from the MCMC team for bulk SMS campaign. Expenditure was also not submitted as per the norms.

The police have identified the admins of WhatsApp groups.

The #Puducherry unit of #BJP advocate cum state convener Advocate Karthikeyan has claimed that they have sent a letter requesting permission for sending Bulk SMS to voters to the cyber crime police. ECI says they haven't recieved any such permission letter from #BJP.

In its order the MHC says "it is apparent that the 6th respondent (BJP) may have restored to a do of campaigning not permissible under the Model Code of Conduct. It is evident the personal details of voters & citizens may have been obtained by such political party for campaign."

Even as the Madras HC is seized of the matter. The petitioner has brought to the notice of the court "that SMS messages continue unabated on the same lines as complained of it."

Meanwhile, UIDAI that protects #Aadhar data behind 5' feet thick and 13' feet high walls says they never shard any data with any entity other than authorised user agencies & says it's factually incorrect to say that data was shared for bulk SMS purposes.