Delhi High Court has directed Delhi Police to refrain from mechanically using Urdu/Persian words while lodging the FIR.



The Division Bench of Justice DN Patel and Justice Hari Shankar opined that FIR should be lodged in the simplest language possible or on the language of the person who has approached the police for lodging of the FIR.

Filed by Vishalakshi Goel, the petition had asked for directions to be issued to the Delhi Police for lodging FIRs in a language that can be easily grasped by the complainant. The Petitioner had pointed out that Delhi Police use certain Urdu/Persian words in the FIR, which makes it difficult for the complainant to translate it understand.

Replying to the plea, Delhi Government informed the court that the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Legal Cell, Police Headquarters has already issued a Circular dated November 20, 2019, regarding the use of simple words, instead of Urdu/Persian words, while recording the FIR.

The said Circular also includes a list which contains English translations of around 380 Urdu words that are used by the Police.

While dictating the order, the court also noted that Urdu/Persian words are being used mechanically by the police without knowing the meaning thereof and without proper application of mind.

Court also went on to direct Delhi Police to provide a copy of the list of translations, annexed to the aforementioned Circular, along with the copy of the FIR to each complainant, as many people may not be able to understand the meaning of Urdu words.

As per the court, with the help of such list, people will be able to translate the words mentioned in the FIR, on their own.

In addition to this, the court also directed the Delhi Government to produce before it copies of at least 10 FIRs registered with 10 different police stations, so that the court cab verify as to whether the said Circular is being complied with by the subordinate officers in letter and spirit.