Don't Mention Parties' Caste/ Religion In Court Filings: Andhra Pradesh High Court

Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued a Circular for strict implementation of guidelines issued by Supreme Court to ensure that the caste/religion of litigants does not appear if any memo/petition/suit/proceeding being filed before any Court within the State.

The Circular references to the order passed by the Apex Court in January in the case of Shama Sharma vs. Kishan Kumar, wherein the Court noted that there was no merit in mentioning the caste/religion of the parties and held that such a practice is shunned upon.

Directions were also given to the High Courts to ensure the above-mentioned guideline.

In furtherance of the same, the circular directed all Judicial Officers, Members of the Bar Association of the High Court, district and mofussil to implement the guideline.

The Registry was directed to ensure compliance irrespective of whether any such details had been furnished before the Courts below.

"In compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, as above, all the concerned Officers/Officials of the Registry are hereby directed to strictly adhere to the aforesaid directions that henceforth the caste or religion of parties shall not be mentioned in the memo of parties of a petition/proceeding filed before the Courts, irrespective of whether any such details have been furnished before the Courts below."

Click Here To Read/Download Circular