High time UP revised its ‘19th century’ history sheet rules: Allahabad High Court

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has expressed concern over the outdated nature of Uttar Pradesh's history sheet regulations, stating it is "high time" the state revised these archaic policies. The court opined that the current police regulations governing history sheets are far behind the times and no longer relevant in the context of modern crime and surveillance methods.

The court noted that modern technology, such as CCTV cameras, could be far more effective than the "19th century methods" of picketing and monitoring history sheeters. It highlighted that the nature of crime has significantly changed, with contemporary criminals able to drain bank accounts in mere seconds, unlike the offences of the past like cattle poisoning.

The court was hearing a case filed by a member of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, challenging the issuance of a history sheet against him. The petitioner claimed that he had been framed in multiple criminal cases with the aim of pressurizing him into withdrawing from a case concerning his brother's murder. He argued that he was acquitted of all charges in these cases.

The state's counsel defended the history sheet, stating that the petitioner's surveillance was necessary due to six criminal cases against him. However, the court found this reasoning to be illogical, considering the petitioner's respectable standing as a member of the Bar and his active involvement in professional circles. The court emphasized that a history sheet subjecting a person to lifelong surveillance goes against the constitutional right to liberty and lacks the necessary application of mind.

The court quashed the history sheet, urging the Uttar Pradesh government to revise, update, and amend the provisions relating to history sheets in the UP Police Regulations.