The Delhi High Court has underscored that police officers are duty-bound to treat women with dignity and avoid using inappropriate or unparliamentary language while dealing with them.
Justice Sanjeev Narula made the observation while hearing a petition filed by Thoppani Sanjeev Rao, who had sought directions to ensure that police stations treat women respectfully and refrain from using objectionable language.
Rejecting the plea for framing fresh guidelines, the court said such directions were unnecessary because the principle was already well established. “The court finds no reason to frame any such guidelines. It is beyond dispute that police officials are expected to treat women with dignity and must refrain from using inappropriate or unparliamentary language. Hence, the prayer sought is misconceived,” Justice Narula observed in the order.
The petitioner also sought an investigation into her complaint registered as a case by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging that no action had been taken despite the NHRC’s directive to the police to act within four weeks.
Addressing this aspect, the court noted that if the NHRC’s earlier directions had not been complied with, the petitioner could approach the commission again. “In the event of non-compliance with the earlier directions, the commission possesses suo motu powers to inquire into the matter. For this purpose, it is open to the petitioner to invoke the jurisdiction of the commission by filing an appropriate representation/application seeking necessary directions,” the order stated.
The High Court disposed of the plea with these observations, reiterating that law enforcement authorities are inherently expected to act with decorum and respect, particularly while interacting with women.
