Vishalakshi Goel v. Union Of India And Anr

Vishalakshi Goel v. Union Of India And Anr

(High Court Of Delhi)

| 25-11-2019

1. Counsel for the respondent No.2 submitted that the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Legal Cell, Police Headquarter, Delhi has already issued a Circular dated 20th November, 2019 regarding use of simple words instead of Urdu and Persian words while recording the FIR. Detailed list of Urdu words being used in FIR with their respective translation in Hindi and English at page No. 109 annexed with Circular dated 20th November, 2019 read as under:

2. The aforementioned Urdu/Persian words are being used mechanically by the Police without knowing the meaning thereof and without proper application of mind. FIR should be in the simplest language possible. It should be in the words of the person lodging the FIR. There is no need for Police to show their knowledge of Urdu and Persian words and these words should not be used by them mechanically without knowing their exact meaning. Moreover, public at large may not be able to understand all these Urdu or Persian words, therefore with every copy of the FIR, the aforementioned list is required to be supplied to a person seeking a copy of the FIR so that he/she can himself/herself see the translated version of Urdu and Persian words used in the FIR and understand the contents of the FIR. The aforementioned list may not be exhaustive as there can be other similar Urdu and Persian words being used in the FIR which are not mentioned in this list. The practice of using these words in the FIR ought to be stopped by the Police.

3. Looking to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, it appears that FIR is the most vital document prepared by Police as it sets the process of criminal justice in motion. In fact, copy of the FIR is required to be sent to the Magistrate immediately as it is an immediate version of the narration of the whole offence. In Court, FIR is required to be read time and again, hence, it should be in a simple language or it should be in the language of a person who has approached the Police for lodging of FIR.

4. In view of the Circular dated 20th November, 2019 issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Legal Cell, Police Headquarter, Delhi, we hereby direct the respondent No.2 to present before this Court at least copies often FIRs registered with ten different police stations so that we can verify whether the Circular issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police is being followed by the subordinate police officers/officials in letter and spirit. Thus, minimum hundred copies of FIRs should be presented before the Court on the next date of hearing with supporting affidavit.

5. List on 11.12.2020.

Copy of the order be given dasti under the signature of the Court Master.

Advocate List
For Petitioner
  • Appellant in person with Mr. Armaan Gupta
  • Adv.
For Respondent
  • ; Mrs. Suparna Srivastava & Mr.Tushar Mathur
  • Advs. for R-1 Mr. Zahid Hanief
  • Adv. for Mr. Naushad Ahmed Khan
  • ASC (Civil) GNCTD for R-2 Ms. Nitya Ramakrishnan
  • Mr. Mohammad Nizammuddin Pashm
  • Mr. Archit Krishna & Mr.Charat Gupta
  • Advs. for Intervenor
Bench
  • HON'BLE JUSTICE DHIRUBHAI NARANBHAI PATEL
  • CJ.
  • HON'BLE JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR
  • J.
Eq Citations
  • 2020 (1) RCR (CRIMINAL) 421
  • LQ/DelHC/2019/4976
Head Note

Delhi Police — FIR — Use of Urdu/Persian words — Practice of using Urdu/Persian words in FIRs by Police, deprecated — Police directed to show at least 100 copies of FIRs registered with 10 different Police stations to verify whether Circular dated 20.11.2019 issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Legal Cell, Police Headquarters, Delhi is being followed by subordinate police officers/officials in letter and spirit — Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973