PUBLIC AWARENESS | Use of “Hon’ble” for Constitutional Functionaries Comes Under Judicial Discussion

The High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, in the course of hearing Harshit Sharma & Others vs State of U.P. & Others(Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. 4982 of 2026), made notable observations regarding the usage of the honorific “Hon’ble” while referring to constitutional authorities and elected representatives.

The Court observed that Members of Parliament, Ministers, Judges, Speakers and other constitutional functionaries exercising sovereign functions are entitled to the use of the honorific “Hon’ble” as part of constitutional protocol and official decorum.

The Bench further noted that personal familiarity or individual disagreement cannot justify omission of such protocol references while referring to persons holding constitutional offices.

Though the principal issue in the matter was not directly connected with protocol usage, the observations made by the Court have brought attention to an aspect of constitutional etiquette that many citizens, social media users, complaint writers and public commentators may not ordinarily be aware of.

The development serves as a broader public awareness point on how constitutional functionaries are officially referred to in formal communications, public records and institutional proceedings.

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