Bhubaneswar, Feb. 26 -- The Orissa high court has dismissed a plea challenging the requirement of mandatory linking of Aadhaar to Permanent Account Number for operating dematerialized account, saying that the linkage does not amount to unconstitutional infringement of fundamental rights.

The bench of justice Sanjeeb Panigrahi was hearing a plea filed by former Biju Janata Dal MP Tathagata Satapathy challenged the action of his bank in not allowing him to operate the demat account under his savings account on the ground that the account is not linked to Aadhaar.

The court observed that the linkage requirement ensures that demat accounts remain a "legitimate channel for investment rather than a tool for illicit financial activities".

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