Archive · 26 Dec 2025
Bombay High Court Rules on Use of Civilian Awards
The Bombay High Court recently ruled that civilian awards like Padma Shri and Bharat Ratna are not titles and should not be used as prefixes or suffixes to the names of the awardees.
This ruling was made while dealing with a case involving Dr. Sharad M Hardikar, a Padma Shree awardee.
The court referred to a previous Supreme Court decision which stated that these awards do not amount to titles under Article 18(1) of the Constitution.
The high court directed all parties to comply with this law and ensured that courts would enforce this compliance.
Additionally, the court allowed a correction in the meeting date of a trust's trustees, reflecting the accurate date of January 21, 2016.
Bombay High Court ruled that civilian awards like Padma Shri and Bharat Ratna are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes.
The ruling was made in a case involving Dr. Sharad M Hardikar, a Padma Shree awardee.
The court referred to a Supreme Court decision that stated these awards do not amount to titles under Article 18(1) of the Constitution.
The high court directed all parties to comply with the Supreme Court's ruling and ensured courts would enforce this compliance.
The court also allowed a correction in the meeting date of a trust's trustees, reflecting the accurate date of January 21, 2016.
- Who
- Bombay High Court, Supreme Court of India
- What
- Ruling on the use of civilian awards as titles
- When
- Recent ruling, specific date not mentioned
- Where
- Bombay High Court, India
- Why
- To ensure compliance with the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings
- Awards Mentioned
- Padma Shri, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan
- Supreme Court Case
- Balaji Raghavan/SP Anand v. Union of India
- Constitutional Article
- Article 18(1)
- Court Directive
- Awards cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes
- Consequence of Violation
- Forfeiture of the National Award