Caste Stickers Banned on Vehicles Across UP: A Liquor Case Led To This!

A routine vehicle check in Etawah district has triggered sweeping judicial reforms that could reshape how law enforcement operates across Uttar Pradesh. What began as a straightforward liquor smuggling investigation has culminated in a landmark Allahabad High Court ruling that eliminates caste references from police records, public spaces, and political rallies.

The case originated on April 29, 2023, when police intercepted two vehicles during a routine check near Jaunai Farm police post in Etawah. Officers stopped a black Scorpio carrying three individuals and discovered 70 bottles of Royal Challenge Classic Premium Whisky and 36 bottles of Royal Stage Premium Whisky, all marked "For Sale in Haryana Only". The search also revealed fake number plates bearing "BR01DE 0941".

Following interrogation, police intercepted a second vehicle - a white Accent - containing two more suspects and an additional 230 bottles of Royal Challenge and 24 bottles of Royal Stage whisky. None of the occupants possessed valid licences for transporting liquor, and all admitted to being part of an illicit distribution operation that transported alcohol from Haryana to Bihar for resale at higher prices.

Praveen Chhetri, identified by police as the gang leader, challenged the charges through a petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He claimed false implication, stating he had merely sought a lift after attending a relative's funeral and was unaware of any liquor in the vehicle. However, what caught Justice Vinod Diwakar's attention wasn't the merits of the case but rather the police's routine practice of recording caste details in official documents.

The FIR and recovery memos mentioned the caste of each accused - Mali, Pahadi Rajput, Thakur, Punjabi Parashar, and Brahmin. This prompted Justice Diwakar to direct the Director General of Police to file a personal affidavit justifying the relevance of mentioning caste in police investigations.

The DGP's response proved inadequate. He argued that caste identification helped avoid confusion between persons with similar names and claimed existing Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System formats often required such entries. The DGP insisted police conducted scientific investigations without caste-based discrimination.

Justice Diwakar rejected these justifications outright. "In the first quarter of the 21st century, the police still rely on caste as a means of identification. It's unfortunate," the court observed. The judge emphasised that modern identification tools including Aadhaar cards, fingerprints, body cameras, mobile tracking, and parental details made caste references entirely unnecessary.

The court's September 16 ruling went far beyond the original case. Justice Diwakar declared caste glorification "anti-national" and violative of constitutional morality, invoking Dr B.R. Ambedkar's vision of a casteless society. The judgment observed that the caste system "poses a serious threat to secularism and, as a consequence, to the integrity of the country".

Following the High Court directive, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar issued a comprehensive 10-point government order on September 21. The order mandates immediate deletion of caste columns from all police documents including FIRs, arrest memos, and seizure records. Instead, mother's names will be added alongside father's and husband's names for identification purposes.

The sweeping reforms extend beyond police records. Caste symbols, slogans, and references must be removed from police station noticeboards, vehicles, and signboards. Caste-based political rallies have been banned across the state, with law enforcement tasked to monitor social media platforms for violations.

Vehicle owners displaying caste names or slogans face penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act. The order directs Regional Transport Offices and traffic departments to remove such displays and impose heavy fines. Previous drives in Noida and Ghaziabad had already issued challans to over 2,300 vehicle owners for caste-based stickers.

The government clarified that exemptions apply only in cases filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, where caste identification remains legally necessary. Amendments will also be made to Standard Operating Procedures and police manuals to ensure compliance.

The High Court's intervention addresses modern manifestations of caste pride, particularly the practice of marking vehicles with caste identifiers. The judgment noted how "vehicles adorned with caste emblems, slogans or even warnings" reflect cultural narcissism and toxic digital masculinity rooted in caste.

While Justice Diwakar ultimately dismissed Chhetri's petition, finding prima facie evidence against him, the case's lasting impact lies in its constitutional significance. The ruling represents a robust push toward caste neutrality in public life, emphasising the state's duty to adopt modern, non-discriminatory identification methods while fostering a more equitable society.