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Delhi HC: Simple language to be incorporated in FIRs...
Persian and Urdu words being incorporated in written documents of the Police or Indian Judiciary is anything but a fresh development. The usuage of such terms can be traced back to several centuries ago where at some point the two languages had been declared as official languages.
In a recent case, the Delhi High Court bench comprising: Justice C Hari Shankar , and Chief Justice D N Patel observed that the lodging of FIR nad other such documents is in fact for the reference of the accused and such others who may be involved, and not for reference of Police. They questioned the use of such expressions (in Persian and Urdu) that were not mentioned by the complainant while filing of such FIR. They held that the language used must be simple and not "high sounding" in nature.
In response to the PIL filed by Adv. Vishalakshi Goel (questioning the use of persian and urdu words in an FIR making it inconvenient for a common man to comprehend) the bench was quoted saying:
“Why they (police) use words which are not spoken by the complainant. In fact, the FIR should be in words of the complainant. Too much flowery language is not needed, the meaning of which has to be discerned from a dictionary… The FIR is for the public at large. It should not be something for which one has to do a doctorate in Sanskrit, Urdu or Persian. Simple language should be used, instead of high-sounding words. People have to know what is written. It is applicable to use of English also. Do not use bombastic language,”
The Court has directed the Commissioner to file an affidavit stating the reasons for use of such expressions, the next date for hearing is scheduled on November 25.
