By Rajesh Pandey
Allahabad: Taking serious cognisance of police practices that mention the caste of complainants, accused, and witnesses in official records such as FIRs, investigation reports, and other public documents, the Allahabad High Court has issued strong directions to the Uttar Pradesh government to eliminate caste disclosure in police records, except in cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The Bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar emphasized that the justifications offered by the Director General of Police (DGP) were detached from the “complex realities of Indian society and the demands of professional policing.”
The court’s detailed observations highlight the need to align policing practices with constitutional values, social sensitivity, and modern professional standards.
Directions to State Authorities
The court has instructed the State Home Department and DGP to frame and implement standard operating procedures by amending police manuals or regulations, wherever necessary, to ensure caste information is not recorded in any police document unless legally required.
Additionally, the court suggested that the government prepare a framework for amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to prohibit the display of caste identifiers or caste-based slogans on both private and public vehicles.
The Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and traffic authorities have been directed to remove such emblems and impose strict fines for violations.
The court further called for stricter provisions under the Information Technology Act to flag, monitor, and initiate action against online content that glorifies caste, spreads hatred, or promotes caste-based aggression on social media platforms.
Background of the Case
The court’s order arises from a petition filed by three individuals arrested on April 29, 2023, in Etawah, accused of liquor smuggling and operating a criminal gang. The petitioners had sought the quashing of the FIR and legal proceedings. While the petition was dismissed, the court noted that the mention of caste in police records raised serious constitutional and social concerns.
Earlier, on March 3, 2025, the court had directed the DGP to file a personal affidavit justifying the necessity of recording caste in police documents, considering India’s caste-driven social dynamics and their impact on law enforcement and public perception.
Court’s Observations on Police Justifications
In his affidavit, the DGP argued that:
- Mentioning caste helps in the accurate identification of accused persons.
- Police forms and formats could be amended by the Union Government or the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
- Police conduct investigations professionally without discrimination based on caste or religion.
However, the High Court rejected these justifications, noting that the DGP’s reasoning was disconnected from constitutional morality, societal complexities, and professional policing standards.
The court remarked that recording castes such as Mali, Pahadi Rajput, Thakur, Punjabi Parashar, or Brahmin in FIRs and seizure memos serves no lawful purpose and reflects institutional insensitivity.
The court criticized the absence of departmental inquiry or officer sensitization, stating that defending such practices on vague grounds was unacceptable.
Broader Social and Legal Implications
The Bench highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and psychological aspects of caste assertion in public spaces:
- In northern states, including UP, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, individuals often mark vehicles, homes, and even personal belongings with caste identifiers or slogans.
- The rise of digital platforms like Instagram, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts has amplified caste-based performance, aggression, and hyper-masculinity, often glorifying historical hierarchies and feudal identities.
- Such practices undermine constitutional morality, perpetuate identity-based divisions, and foster toxic digital masculinity rooted in caste hierarchy.
The court concluded that this situation necessitated systemic changes across policing, transport regulations, and social media governance.
Specific Directives
- UP government must ensure that all columns in police forms requiring caste or tribe information are deleted, replacing them with the mother’s name along with father and spouse details.
- Notice boards in police stations displaying caste information next to accused names must be erased immediately.
- Copies of the order are to be sent to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, who shall place them before the Chief Minister.
The court’s directions are binding within Uttar Pradesh, while the Central Government may consider adopting similar measures as optional guidelines.
The Allahabad High Court’s order represents a significant step toward professionalizing police practices, promoting social equity, and aligning administrative procedures with constitutional values and modern legal standards.
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