Court Directs Verification of Vehicle Ownership and Emphasizes Honorifics for Union Ministers in Legal Documents
In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court, comprising Justices J.J. Munir and Tarun Saxena, has mandated the police to adhere strictly to protocols while drafting First Information Reports (FIRs) involving dignitaries, such as Union Ministers. This judgment came in response to a Criminal Miscellaneous Writ Petition (No. 4982 of 2026) filed by Harshit Sharma and others against the State of Uttar Pradesh, dated March 31, 2026.
The court highlighted the importance of using appropriate honorifics when mentioning dignitaries in legal documents. The case arose after an FIR failed to use the honorific "Hon'ble" for a Union Minister, referring to him only by name, without even a "Mr." prefix. The court emphasized that, irrespective of any omissions by the original informant, it is the duty of the police to ensure dignitaries are addressed with due respect in FIRs.
Furthermore, the court directed Mr. Shashi Shekhar Tiwari, the learned Additional Government Advocate (A.G.A.), to seek instructions and report back regarding the registered ownership of a Fortuner SUV (registration no. UP52-BD-7799) currently in the informant's possession, which he claims was provided by the petitioner. This directive aims to resolve the dispute over vehicle ownership, a key point in the ongoing investigation.
In addition to addressing procedural lapses, the court ordered the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Uttar Pradesh, to submit an affidavit explaining the failure to use proper honorifics in the FIR. The court also instructed that its order be communicated promptly to the Additional Chief Secretary and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mathura, ensuring compliance within 48 hours.
The case is scheduled to be revisited on April 6, 2026, for further proceedings. This judgment underscores the court's commitment to upholding legal protocols and ensuring that respect for public officials is maintained in all judicial and administrative processes.
Bottom Line:
FIR - Protocol and respect for dignitaries - Police must adhere to protocol while drafting FIRs, especially when dignitaries like Hon'ble Ministers are mentioned, ensuring proper honorifics are used even if the original informant has omitted them.
Statutory provision(s): Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
Harshit Sharma v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2878175
