Honorific Clarification: Use of 'Hon'ble' in Official Contexts

The Allahabad High Court clarified the use of the honorific 'Hon'ble', specifying its attribution to constitutional functionaries performing sovereign duties. This ruling excludes civil servants not holding constitutional positions. The directive arose from a case concerning improper address in an FIR involving BJP MP Anurag Thakur.

The Allahabad High Court has made it clear that the honorific 'Hon'ble' is reserved for constitutional functionaries engaged in sovereign activities. The court's clarification limits the use of this title to certain government roles, including ministers, judges, and parliamentary figures, excluding ordinary civil servants.

This decision was made by a bench consisting of Justices J J Munir and Tarun Saxena, who issued an order stating that the honorific 'Hon'ble' should be appended only to officials exercising powers within any government branch.

The clarification came to light during a hearing of a writ petition involving BJP MP Anurag Thakur, where an FIR failed to address him with the required honorific. Subsequent investigations were ordered to ensure protocol adherence in official documents.