The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to put in place within a year an effective mechanism to verify identities of existing mobile users. A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N V Ramana said the verification of existing pre-paid mobile users, running into cores, be done within one year.The bench was hearing a plea filed by NGO Lokniti Foundation on the issue.<br/><br/>The Apex court's suggestion came after a PIL petitioner, Lokniti Foundation, pointed out that almost five crore pre-paid subscribers were using their mobile phones without proper verification.<br/><br/>Expressing serious concern over the possibility of misuse of unverified cell numbers, the bench said such subscribers could be given an opportunity to get them verified at the time of recharge.

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to put in place within a year an effective mechanism to verify identities of existing mobile users. A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N V Ramana said the verification of existing pre-paid mobile users, running into cores, be done within one year.The bench was hearing a plea filed by NGO Lokniti Foundation on the issue.<br/><br/>The Apex court's suggestion came after a PIL petitioner, Lokniti Foundation, pointed out that almost five crore pre-paid subscribers were using their mobile phones without proper verification.<br/><br/>Expressing serious concern over the possibility of misuse of unverified cell numbers, the bench said such subscribers could be given an opportunity to get them verified at the time of recharge.