Supreme Court bans “Faryadi” term in courts

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – The Supreme Court has issued a landmark rights-based judgement directing police and courts to discontinue the use of outdated and demeaning terms such as “Bakhidmat Janaab SHO” and “Faryadi,” stressing that citizens approach law-enforcement agencies as a constitutional right, not as petitioners seeking favour.

The ruling, authored by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and delivered by a three-member bench, clarified that addressing police officials simply as “Janaab SHO” reflects the lawful relationship between citizens and the state, where police are duty-bound to serve the public. While hearing a murder case appeal, the court expanded the scope of the verdict to address systemic policing failures, particularly delays in FIR registration.

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It reaffirmed that FIRs in cognisable offences must be registered immediately under law and warned that deliberate delays would be presumed to benefit the accused, potentially attracting criminal and departmental action against responsible officers. The court also ruled that the term “Faryadi” is constitutionally impermissible, as it undermines citizens’ dignity, and directed courts nationwide to ensure proper legal terminology is used in proceedings.