The Delhi High Court disposed of a petition seeking directions to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and police authorities to act on a complaint regarding the alleged use of inappropriate language by police officials. The Court held that police personnel are inherently obligated to treat women with respect and refrain from using unparliamentary language, observing that no additional guidelines are required on this settled principle.
The petitioner had submitted a representation to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which was registered as a case. The Commission had directed the concerned police authority to take necessary action within four weeks. However, the petitioner alleged that no steps were taken in compliance with the NHRC’s order and subsequently approached the Delhi High Court.
In the writ petition, the petitioner sought directions to the NHRC or other authorities to initiate an inquiry into her complaint and to frame guidelines ensuring that police officials behave respectfully towards women and abstain from using offensive or inappropriate language.
The petitioner contended that despite the NHRC’s explicit direction to the police to act on her complaint, no effective action had been taken. She urged the Court to direct the Commission or the concerned police authorities to conduct an inquiry. Additionally, she requested the Court to formulate guidelines mandating respectful conduct and communication standards for police officials, particularly when dealing with women.
Justice Sanjeev Narula, while addressing the grievance, noted that the NHRC already possesses the power to act suo motuin cases of non-compliance with its own directions. Therefore, the petitioner was advised to approach the Commission again by filing an appropriate representation if she believed its order had not been implemented.
With respect to the plea for framing fresh guidelines for police conduct, the Court observed that the relief sought was unnecessary, as the duty of police personnel to treat women with dignity is already well established in law. “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,” the Court stated.
Concluding the matter, the Court found no reason to issue further directions or frame new guidelines. The Court held that existing legal standards already bind police officers to maintain dignity and respect in their conduct toward women. Accordingly, the petition was disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to approach the NHRC again if necessary, reaffirming that the Commission retains the authority to inquire into non-compliance with its orders.
Case Title: Thoppani Sanjeev Rao vs. National Human Rights Commission & Ors. & Ors.
Case No.: W.P.(Crl) 1987/2025
Coram: Justice Sanjeev Narula
Advocate for Petitioner: Adv. Kanika Saini, Puneet Kumari, Prem Latha, Divya Mathur
Advocate for Respondent: Adv. Anupam S. Sharrma
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