Re-registration of SIM cards: a second challenge before the Supreme Court

Pazhany Rangasamy, who has over thirty years of experience in the justice system, is challenging the re-registration of SIM cards. On Tuesday February 6, 2024, he filed a constitutional complaint before the Supreme Court. He is of the opinion that this exercise is in violation of the Constitution and requests that it be declared null and void.

The Information and Communications Technology (SIM Registration) Regulations 2023 require all SIM card holders to re-register their cards. This exercise must be carried out by April 30, 2024. Otherwise, unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated.

Me Pazhany Rangasamy's complaint is directed against the State and the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Deepak Balgobin. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (Icta), the Data Protection Commissioner, Mauritius Telecom, Emtel and Mahanagar Telephone (Mauritius) are named as co-respondents.

Me Pazhany Rangasamy says he is personally aggrieved. He objects to providing a color photo of himself, which is one of the mandatory steps to re-register the SIM card. Additionally, the photo will be stored in a database where, he says, there are no protection measures.

The attorney believes that his constitutional rights, those of his clients, his friends will also be violated by such regulations. There is also the recent National Identity Card Regulations 2024.

The lawyer mentions that he is involved in political activities. He fears that his confidential information and that of third parties will be under surveillance. For him, these regulations undermine the rule of law, because there is a lack of precision.

It asks the Supreme Court to declare the Information and Communication Technology (SIM Registration) Regulations 2023 null and void along with those of the National Identity Cards Regulations 2024. Because they are in violation of articles 1, 2, 3, 9 and 12 of the Constitution and articles 18 and 22 of the Civil Code. The case will be called on February 22, 2024 before the Supreme Court. The attorney retained the services of Me Sanjeev Teeluckdharry.

On the other hand, the challenge of Me Rama Valayden and Ivor Tan Yan will be called, on February 15, 2024, before the Supreme Court.