The [unjab And Haryana High Court in the case observed and has objected to mentioning of the person’s religion in the First Information Report, FIR by the Haryana Police.
The bench headed by Jasgurpreet Singh Puri in the case observed and recalled that the similar issue has arisen last year in the Punjab and subsequently, the Assistant Inspector General of Police and Punjab DGP had filed affidavits that henceforth the religion of a person will not be mentioned in the Fist Information Report, FIRs.
Therefore, the DGP also issued the circular wherein it declared that the religion or the caste of the accused, victim or witnesses shall not be mentioned in the FIR or other official documents which are prepared during the course of the investigation, except where the same is absolutely necessary e.g. in cases which relates to Section 153-A, Section 295- A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 etc.
Further, the said court stated that despite such developments, there being no such improvement so far as State of Haryana is concerned.
Therefore, it has been directed by the Haryana’s DGP for filing an affidavit stating what corrective measures will be taken to ameliorate the situation.
The said developments come in the bail plea moved by a woman accused in a money dispute.
The court in the case also noted that in March 2019, while putting an end to a ‘colonial legacy’ practice of mentioning caste status in criminal proceedings.
The Punjab And Haryana High Court while considering the facts and circumstances of the case stated that the caste system us profoundly illogical and is also against the basic tenants of the constitution of India.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on September 18, 2023.
