#FIR Pendency

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the mere registration or pendency of an FIR is insufficient to deny a character certificate, affirming that the presumption of innocence must guide administrative decisions. This sets a critical precedent for government bodies issuing certificates in employment, immigration, or licensing contexts, ensuring procedural fairness over speculative stigma.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that authorities cannot revoke or deny renewal of an arms licence merely due to pending criminal cases. They must record specific, evidence-based findings that the licensee’s continued possession poses a real and imminent threat to public peace or safety, upholding natural justice and proportionality in administrative action.

Madras High Court rules that administrative authorities cannot withhold a driving licence solely due to an FIR pendency without following statutory procedures under the Motor Vehicles Act. The judgment reinforces that suspension or cancellation of licences must comply with due process, protecting drivers from arbitrary state action.