Allahabad HC Bans Caste Mentions in Police Records, Orders Action Against Vehicle Stickers

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to stop recording caste in police documents like FIRs and seizure memos, calling it “identity profiling” that violates constitutional morality.

Justice Vinod Diwakar rejected the police’s claim that caste helps identify individuals, noting that tools like fingerprints, Aadhaar, and mobile numbers suffice.

The Court also ordered action against caste-based slogans or stickers on vehicles and recommended amendments to motor vehicle rules.

Exemptions apply only where caste mention is statutorily required, such as under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 

[Praveen Chetri v State of UP and Another]