Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory National ID for Banking Services, Cannot Deny Service
The Supreme Court has annulled the mandatory national identity card requirement imposed by banks. The court has ordered that banking services be provided based on alternative documents even for customers without a national ID.
Kathmandu — The Supreme Court has struck down the mandatory national identity card requirement enforced by banks. The court invalidated the provision that required a mandatory national ID when updating customer identification details (KYC) or changing mobile numbers.
While annulling the provision, the court ordered that services be provided to both customers with and without a national identity card. After banks implemented the provision, a writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court arguing that customers without a national ID were deprived of operating their own bank accounts.
Hearing the petition, the joint bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Meghraj Pokharel ordered that customers should not be denied banking services even if they lack a national identity card.
The Supreme Court issued a mandamus to Nepal Rastra Bank and all relevant bodies to provide banking services based on alternative documents including citizenship.
- Mandatory national ID provision struck down
- Order to provide services based on alternative documents
- Mandamus to Nepal Rastra Bank and all relevant bodies