In Brief
The Supreme Court modified the Delhi High Court's judgment in a case where police had opened a 'History Sheet' against the appellant and included his minor school-going children without any evidence they had aided him. The Court held that History Sheets are internal police documents; minor relatives can only be included if evidence shows they afforded shelter to the offender while on the run. The Court mandated that the amended Standing Order (21.03.2024) be applied immediately, emphasizing compliance with the Juvenile Justice Act's prohibition on disclosing child identities. The Court directed periodic audits by senior officers and expanded the scope to encourage all States/Union Territories to adopt safeguards against discriminatory practices in police records, particularly affecting economically disadvantaged communities and Scheduled Castes/Tribes.
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