A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar on August 24, 2017 ruled that the right to privacy is intrinsic to life and liberty, thus coming under Article 21, and comes under the various fundamental freedoms in PART III of the Indian Constitution.
The Court overruled its verdicts in the 1950 M.P. Sharma case (eight-judge Bench) and the 1961 Kharak Singh case (six-judge bench) that right to privacy is not protected under the Constitution.
Here are some of the reactions to the verdict.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "I have a right to privacy & it's a fundamental one. Yeyy."
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala: Path breaking & seminal judgement of Supreme Court declares 'Privacy' as fundamental right. A great victory for liberty & freedom. S.C rejects Modi Govt's attempt to whittle down the right to privacy as a fundamental right by AG's plea of no mention in Constitution.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy: Welcome the SC judgment that Right to Privacy is a fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Now onto Aadhar modification.
Congress leader P. Chidambaram: Privacy is a fundamental right. The freedom that was won in 1947 has been enriched and enlarged. Privacy is the core of personal liberty. Article 21 has acquired a new magnificence.
Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid: Privacy (sic) Fundamental Right has far reaching implications 4 (sic) our democracy. Celebrate the defeat of forces that wish to intrude in our lives.
CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury: Congratulations to all lawyers, activists, others who fought this govt's sinister designs to deny Indians their fundamental right to privacy
Public interest lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan: Kudos to the SC for holding Right to Privacy a fundamental right under Art 21. Aadhaar Act & any other law will be tested on reasonableness
AIPWA secretary and CPI(ML) member Kavita Krishnan tweets, "Supreme Court upholds Right to Privacy as fundamental right - Central Govt position denying this defeated. Cause for celebration as citizens. Right to privacy upheld as fundamental right - means Govts, pvt companies, cops etc have NO RIGHT to snoop on citizens. Now who will tell CJI - his order of NIA probe into 24 yr old woman's decision to convert, marry violates fundamental right to privacy?