Every aspect of privacy doesn't qualify as fundamental right: Centre to SC

New Delhi: Right to privacy is a fundamental right, but it is a wholly qualified right, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

"Every aspect of it does not qualify as a fundamental right, as privacy also includes the subtext of liberty," Attorney General KK Venugopal said.

The Supreme Court had set up a nine-judge bench last week to decide whether right to privacy can be declared a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.

The apex court had said that right to privacy cannot be an absolute right and the state may have some power to put reasonable restriction, while examining the issue whether it can be declared as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

A nine-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, also asked the Centre and others to assist it about the "contours" and ambit of test on which the width and scope of right to privacy and its infringement, if any, by the State would be tested.