Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Bombay High Court Rules Padma Awards Not Titles
The Bombay High Court has said that awards like Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna are not titles.
They can't be used before or after a person's name.
The court was hearing a case where someone was called 'Padma Shri Dr. Sharad Moreshwar Hardiker'.
The judge said this is not correct and should not be done.
The court also said that these awards are important but they don't change a person's legal name.
The Supreme Court had already said this in 1995, and all courts must follow this rule.
Bombay High Court ruled that Padma Awards and Bharat Ratna are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes.
The court objected to the use of 'Padma Shri' in the case title and directed its removal.
Justice Sundaresan referred to a 1995 Supreme Court judgment that clarified these awards do not confer any title.
The court emphasized that the legal position is binding under Article 141 of the Constitution.
Padma Awards are prestigious civilian honours conferred annually on Republic Day eve.
- Who
- Bombay High Court, Dr. Sharad Hardikar, Dr. Trimbak V. Dapkekar
- What
- Bombay High Court ruled that Padma Awards and Bharat Ratna are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes
- When
- December 27, 2025
- Where
- Bombay High Court, India
- Why
- To ensure accuracy in the formal and legal use of civilian honours
- Awards Involved
- Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna
- Legal Reference
- 1995 Supreme Court Constitution Bench judgment
- Constitutional Article
- Article 141
- Petitioner
- Dr. Trimbak V. Dapkekar
- Respondent
- Padma Shri Dr. Sharad Moreshwar Hardiker
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Judge
- Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan