In Saroj & Ors. v. IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Co. & Ors. (2024 INSC 816), the Supreme Court clarified that the Aadhar card should only be treated as proof of identity and not as definitive proof of date of birth. This decision emerged in the context of determining compensation in a motor vehicle accident claim. Citing K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2019) 1 SCC 1, the Court emphasized that where there is a discrepancy in the date of birth between an Aadhar card and a School Leaving Certificate, the latter should be considered the authoritative source for establishing age. This ruling serves as a reminder of the Court’s dedication to fair and accurate standards, particularly in evaluating claims for compensation in accident cases. It reinforces the importance of using reliable documents for age determination, which can significantly affect the outcome of compensation claims.
