Delhi High Court Seeks Centre, DMRC's Response On Adding Hindi Inscription 'Sarvochaya Nyayalaya' At Supreme Court Metro Station

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stand of the Central Government as well as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as to why the name of Supreme Court metro station cannot be inscribed as “Sarvochaya Nyayalaya” in devnagri script, in addition to its translation in english.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought stand of the authorities in a PIL filed by one Umesh Sharma, who sought that the name of the metro station be inscribed in devnagri script.

At present, the metro station is named as “Supreme Court” in english and as “सुप्रीम कोर्ट” in Hindi. The plea sought a direction to the authorities to inscribe the name of the metro station in Hindi in devnagri script as well.

Sharma placed reliance on Section 2(b) of the Official Languages Act and Rule 11 of the Official Languages Rules 1976.

Sharma also relied upon the names of Delhi University and Central Secretariat metro stations to contend that the same are written as Vishwavidyalaya and Kendriya Sachivalaya in Hindi.

Sharma contended that Supreme Court metro station as written in Hindi at present is an english word inscribed in devnagri script and not a Hindi word. According to him, Hindi as defined under the Official Languages Act means Hindi in devnagri script.

He said that the metro station in Hindi inscription should be sarvochaya nyayalaya.

After hearing the parties, the Court asked the authorities to place their stand on the plea.

“Let appropriate instructions be taken by respondents 1,3 and 4 as to why the name of Supreme Court metro station cannot be inscribed as Hindi (Sarvochaya nyayalaya) in devnagri script,” the Court said.

The matter will now be heard on February 19.

Title: Umesh Sharma v. Union of India & Ors