The court held that mentioning caste in legal documents does not contravene any law and does not promote casteism, particularly within the scope of a caste-based census.

CORAM: HONOURABLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA ORAL ORDER (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA)

3 06-01-2026 The present writ application has been filed in the form of a P.I.L. for the following reliefs:-

"(i) For the issuance of a writ of mandamus and/or, any other appropriate writ/direction/order commanding the respondents to immediately stop the practice of writing caste names of accused persons in F.I.Rs, Case Diaries and Charge Sheets by all police station and police officers throughout the territory of the State of Bihar. (ii) For the issuance of a writ of mandamus and/or any other appropriate writ/direction/order commanding the respondents to issue necessary orders to ensure all consequential relief to the petitioner in the facts and circumstances of the case."

2. It appears from the pleadings of the writ petition that the present petition has been filed without any substantial basis and seeks to restrict the practice of mentioning the caste names of accused persons in the F.I.R., case diary and charge sheet. It is not mandatory for the police to mention the caste and religion of either the accused persons or the complainant/informant. However, in certain cases, the police have included the caste and religion of the accused persons and the complainant/informant in the records.

3. Learned counsel for the State submits that both in the State of Bihar and across the country, the Government has taken a policy decision to conduct a caste-based census. In such circumstances, if police officials mention the caste and religion of the accused persons as well as of the complainant/informant, no prejudice or harm is caused to society. It is further submitted that by incorporating the caste names of the accused persons and the complainant/informant in the F.I.R., the State is not in any manner promoting casteism.

4. Learned counsel for the State further submits that in cases registered under the SC/ST Act, the caste names of both the accused persons and the complainant/informant are mentioned in the F.I.R.

5. Having heard the counsel for the parties and in view of the aforesaid backdrop, no case is made out for interference of this Court in the present matter.

6. Accordingly, the present writ application stands dismissed.

7. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.