Uttar Pradesh Implements Allahabad HC Directive to Eradicate Caste-Based Discrimination

High Court Order on Caste References

On September 16, 2025, the Allahabad High Court issued a landmark directive in the case Praveen Chetri vs State of UP. The court declared that the practice of including caste references in police investigations and public records is “legally wrong, undermines constitutional morality, and poses a serious challenge to democracy.”

Justice Vinod Diwakar directed the Uttar Pradesh government to amend police manuals and regulations, prohibiting disclosure of caste in FIRs, seizure memos, and other documents, except in cases where law requires caste disclosure—such as under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Immediate Compliance by the UP Government

In response, the Uttar Pradesh government issued sweeping orders late Sunday night, instructing all police units and district administrations to ensure “immediate and effective compliance.” Officiating chief secretary Deepak Kumar signed the order, emphasizing the state’s commitment to build an inclusive system consistent with constitutional values.

Ban on Caste in Police Records

  • No caste reference in FIRs, recovery panchnamas, arrest memos, or personal search memos.

  • Police station noticeboards must not display the caste of accused persons.

  • Both the mother’s name and father’s name must be included in records for balance.

  • Until the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) updates the CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) portal, data-entry operators must leave caste fields blank.

Vehicles and Public Displays

  • Vehicles displaying caste tags, stickers, or slogans (e.g., “I am a Jat,” “Thakur Saheb,” “Pandit Ji”) will be fined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

  • Caste-based signboards and banners in towns, tehsils, and districts glorifying or demarcating caste-specific areas will be removed immediately.

  • Officials have been ordered to prevent the installation of such caste-based signboards in the future.

Ban on Caste-Based Rallies and Social Media Hate Speech

  • Caste-based rallies, often organized for political purposes, are now banned across Uttar Pradesh. The government stressed these exacerbate social divisions and threaten “public order” and “national unity.”

  • Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp will be closely monitored for caste-based hate content.

  • Strict action will be taken against individuals inciting caste hatred or glorifying caste identities online.

Awareness and Training

The government has instructed senior officials to train subordinate officers to raise awareness of the new directive and to ensure compliance at all levels. A public complaint portal and mobile app is also being considered for citizens to report violations.

Exception Under Law

The only exception to the prohibition is where legal obligation requires caste disclosure, particularly in investigations under the SC/ST Act.

The Case Behind the Order

The directive arose from a case where police stopped vehicles smuggling liquor from Haryana to Bihar. During the seizure, police listed the caste identities of the accused (Mali, Pahadi Rajput, Thakur, Punjabi, Parashar, Brahmin) in the FIR and seizure memo.

Accused Praveen Chetri filed a petition challenging the proceedings. The High Court strongly objected to caste disclosure, holding it discriminatory, unconstitutional, and detrimental to democratic values.

Significance of the Directive

This directive represents a historic step towards caste neutrality in public administration and policing in Uttar Pradesh. It addresses discriminatory practices in official records, challenges political exploitation of caste identity, and promotes constitutional morality.

If implemented effectively, the order could become a model for other Indian states in eliminating caste-based discrimination from governance systems.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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