Aadhaar, Voter ID Not Final Proof of Date of Birth in Service Matters: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that Aadhaar card and voter ID cannot be treated as conclusive proof of date of birth in service matters, as these documents are based on self-declaration and meant only for identification.

The dispute arose when a retired Anganwadi worker, nearly two years after superannuation, sought correction of her date of birth, relying on Aadhaar and voter ID entries. Accepting this claim, the appellate authority ordered her reinstatement and terminated her successor.

The Bench held that once an employee accepts service records and allows them to attain finality, they cannot be reopened after retirement.

Applying the doctrine of delay and laches, the Court quashed the reinstatement and restored the successor’s appointment with all consequential benefits.