High Court Urges Haryana Police to Eliminate Religious Mention in FIRs.

High Court Urges Haryana Police to Eliminate Religious Mention in FIRs.

Challenging Prejudice: High Court Takes Action.

In a significant move aimed at upholding principles of equality and fairness, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a strong stand against mentioning a person’s religion in First Information Reports (FIRs). The court’s action comes in response to a recent petition related to a financial dispute, which brought to light a concerning practice within the Haryana Police.

A Growing Concern in Two States.

Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He noted that a similar issue had previously arisen in Punjab, leading the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) to issue instructions to the police force, discouraging the mention of a person’s religion in FIRs.In the case before the court, the FIR filed by the Haryana Police had included the religious affiliation of an individual. Justice Puri expressed deep concern, stating, “In the FIR, the religion of a person has been mentioned. This is a serious issue. A similar kind of issue arose in the State of Punjab wherein the religion of a person was mentioned.”

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously taken notice of caste being mentioned in FIRs or other police proceedings. However, the issue of mentioning an individual’s religion was brought before the court in a case concerning the State of Punjab. In response, an affidavit dated March 7, 2022, was submitted by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Litigation, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab. This affidavit included instructions issued by the Director General of Police, Punjab, stating that henceforth, a person’s religion would not be mentioned in such documents.The Punjab DGP further demonstrated the state’s commitment to rectify this practice by submitting an affidavit dated September 19, 2022, outlining the corrective measures being taken.

Recognizing the need for uniformity and fairness, Justice Puri has directed the Haryana Director General of Police to submit an affidavit by September 18, detailing the corrective measures the state will undertake in line with Punjab’s progressive approach. This directive signals a significant step towards eradicating biased practices from the police system.

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Asif Iqbal

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Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.