New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Central Government and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) regarding a petition to inscribe the Hindi translation “Sarvochaya Nyayalaya” alongside the English name at the Supreme Court Metro Station.
The court’s move centers on official language norms and interpretation of statutory rules.
Background of the Sarvochaya Nyayalaya Inscription Controversy
At present, the station on the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro is officially called “Supreme Court” in English and “सुप्रीम कोर्ट” as a transliteration in Hindi. A public interest litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner Umesh Sharma argues that this Hindi inscription is not a proper Hindi translation but merely an English word written in Devanagari script.
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Under the Official Languages Act, 1963 and the Official Languages Rules, 1976, the use of Hindi in official signage should reflect valid Hindi terminology in Devanagari script — not just Roman-to-Devanagari transliterations. The petitioner urged that the correct Hindi equivalent should be “Sarvochaya Nyayalaya” (सर्वोच्च न्यायालय).
Delhi High Court Directives on Sarvochaya Nyayalaya Inscription Controversy
A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked why the name cannot be properly translated into Hindi with Sarvochaya Nyayalaya alongside the English name, emphasizing consistency with naming at other Delhi Metro stations.
The court noted that other stations like Delhi University Metro station and Central Secretariat Metro station use proper Hindi names — Vishwavidyalaya and Kendriya Sachivalaya respectively — rather than mere transliterations. The bench specifically directed DMRC and the Centre to clarify their position on why a similar approach cannot be followed for the Supreme Court Metro Station.
What Does the PIL Argue?
The petitioner’s counsel argued that:
- Hindi, as defined by the Official Languages Act, refers to the language in Devanagari script, not Roman words transliterated into Devanagari.
- The current Hindi name “सुप्रीम कोर्ट” does not reflect the actual Hindi translation of Supreme Court.
- The Supreme Court’s own official communication uses Sarvoch Nyayalaya in Hindi, implying that translation is possible and recognised.
The plea also mentioned that the petitioner had written to authorities under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Rajbhasha Department, requesting a proper translation, but received no action — which prompted filing of the PIL.
What does the Official Language Law Says
Under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union of India, and the Official Languages Act along with its rules guide use of Hindi and English in official functions and signages. The petitioner claims that current signage violates these provisions since it reflects an English term merely transliterated rather than translated into actual Hindi.
