Guwahati, July 22 -- The Meghalaya High Court on Monday ruled that the Aadhaar card cannot serve as the only proof of identity for individuals seeking government welfare benefits.

The court issued an interim directive instructing authorities to accept other valid identification documents from those unwilling or unable to provide an Aadhaar number.

Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, who formed the division bench, noted that anyone lacking an Aadhaar card or choosing not to register for one must be allowed to establish their residency through other recognised documents, such as a PAN card, voter ID, or passport, subject to verification by state officials.

The judges made it clear that individuals without A...