A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will start hearing today a bunch of petitions seeking stay on the government's decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits under various social welfare schemes as well as its linkage to bank accounts and mobile phone connections. <br/><br/>The bench comprises five judges – Chief Justice Dipak Misra, justices DY Chandrachud, AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar and Ashok Bhushan. The matter was mentioned before a bench headed by the Chief Justice who said that the Constitution bench will be set up by Thursday to hear the case. On 30 October, the apex court referred all Aadhaar cases to the five-judge Constitution bench.<br/>'<br/>Meanwhile, the government yesterday extended the deadline till 31st March next year for submission of Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number or Form 60 by a client for certain financial transactions like the opening of a bank account. On 7th of this month, the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar was also extended by three months to 31st of March next year.