Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Bombay High Court Clarifies Padma Awards Usage
The Bombay High Court recently reminded everyone that civilian awards like Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna are not titles.
This means they can't be used as prefixes or suffixes with the names of the people who receive them.
The court made this point while looking at a case involving Dr. Sharad M. Hardikar, who received the Padma Shri in 2014.
The court said that using these awards as titles is not allowed and that everyone must follow the rules set by the Supreme Court in 1995.
The court also mentioned that this rule is very important and must be followed in all legal proceedings.
The case was about a dispute related to a public trust.
Bombay High Court reiterated that civilian awards like Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes.
The court took exception to the description of a party in a case title as 'Padma Shree Dr Sharad M. Hardikar'.
The court referred to a 1995 Supreme Court ruling that stated these awards are not titles and should not be used as such.
The observations were made during a hearing of a writ petition filed by Dr. Trimbak Dapkekar challenging an order related to a public trust dispute.
The court emphasized the binding nature of the Supreme Court’s ruling under Article 141 of the Constitution.
- Who
- Bombay High Court, Dr Sharad M. Hardikar, Dr Trimbak Dapkekar
- What
- Clarification on the usage of Padma Awards as prefixes or suffixes
- When
- December 24 (year not specified)
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To ensure compliance with the Supreme Court's 1995 ruling and Article 141 of the Constitution
- Awards Mentioned
- Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna
- Legal Reference
- Supreme Court Constitution Bench ruling (1995)
- Constitutional Article
- Article 141
- Case Involving
- Dr Sharad M. Hardikar (Padma Shri awardee)
- Petitioner
- Dr Trimbak Dapkekar
- Issue
- Trust dispute and improper use of award title
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Judge
- Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan