Islamabad High Court bars FIR mention in character certificates after acquittal

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that police cannot include an FIR in the character certificate of a citizen acquitted in a case, declaring such certificates unlawful and invalid. Justice Ayyaz Shaukat ordered the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, to establish a formal mechanism to prevent references to criminal cases ending in acquittal from appearing in character certificates.

The court emphasized that citizens should not have to approach courts for rights already guaranteed by law. Allowing the mention of an FIR in a character certificate after acquittal violates constitutional rights, including dignity and freedom of movement. The court ordered the removal of an FIR reference from the petitioner's character certificate and clarified that police could maintain internal records of criminal cases for official purposes but could not disclose such information in character certificates, especially for those traveling abroad.

The court rejected the police's description of the petitioner as "discharged" during the investigation, stating it undermined the legal effect and status of the acquittal. The decision upheld Articles 4, 9, 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which protect citizens' rights, liberty, dignity, and freedom of movement. The court directed the Islamabad police chief to implement a proper procedure to ensure acquitted citizens do not face adverse consequences through character certificates suggesting involvement in criminal proceedings.