Police Officials Must Treat Women With Dignity, Avoid Inappropriate Language: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has said that Police officials must treat women with dignity and avoid using inappropriate language with them.

Justice Sanjeev Narula was dealing with a plea filed by a woman, Thoppani Sanjeev Rao, seeking investigation into her complaint registered as a case by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

It was her case that despite NHRC's directive to the police to take necessary action within four weeks, no action was taken.

In her plea, the woman also sought framing of guidelines that the concerned police station should treat women respectfully and that no unparliamentary language shall be used by Police officials with any woman.

On the first prayer, the Court noted that the woman said that in the event of non-compliance with the earlier directions, the NHRC possesses suo motu powers to inquire into the matter.

Accordingly, the Court said that it will be open to the woman to invoke the jurisdiction of the Commission by filing an appropriate representation or application seeking necessary directions.

On the second prayer for framing of guidelines, the Court said:

“With respect to Prayer B, the Court finds no reason to frame any such guidelines. 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.”

Title: THOPPANI SANJEEV RAO v. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION & ORS

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1367

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