COURTKUTCHEHRY SPECIAL ON P&H COURT FLAGGING MIUSE OF PUNJAB’s “NRI CELL”
Punjab & Haryana High Court Flags ‘Alarming’ FIRs Based on Email Complaints to NRI Cell
Court Orders SOP to Prevent Misuse of NRI Cell
Officials Admit Ground Situation ‘Extremely Bad’
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: January 15, 2026:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court have sounded an alarm over the increasing trend of registering First Information Reports (FIRs) based solely on email complaints sent to Punjab’s NRI Cell. In a strongly worded order, Justice Alok Jain described the practice as a “glaring and alarming concern” and directed the state government to immediately frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure a cautious and legally sound approach.
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The ruling comes amid growing complaints that the NRI Cell, originally set up to help Non-Resident Indians resolve genuine grievances, is being misused to settle personal scores, harass spouses, or extract money.
Case Background
- Petition Origin: The High Court was hearing a petition involving an NRI-related dispute where an FIR had been registered based on an email complaint.
- Court’s Concern: Justice Jain observed that the system lacked verification and balance, allowing FIRs to be filed without proper scrutiny.
- Direction to State: The court ordered Punjab to frame and implement an SOP to regulate how email complaints are processed by the NRI Cell.
Court’s Observations
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- Misuse of Legal Process: The court noted that many complaints were aimed at illegal enrichment rather than genuine justice.
- Need for Verification: FIRs must not be registered without checking the veracity of allegations and whether the offence falls within territorial jurisdiction.
- Institutional Correction: Justice Jain stressed that the issue required systemic reform, not ad hoc solutions.
Admission by Police Officials
During the hearing, Punjab ADGP (NRI) R.K. Jaiswal admitted that the ground-level situation was “extremely bad.”
- Marriage-Related Complaints: Many women allege deception at the time of marriage and harassment after migrating abroad.
- Men Also Filing Complaints: Increasingly, men are also using the NRI Cell to file complaints against spouses or in-laws.
- Trend of Misuse: Officials acknowledged that the Cell is being used to settle personal disputes rather than genuine NRI grievances.
Implications of the Ruling
- For NRIs: Genuine complainants will benefit from a more structured and fair process.
- For Police: The ruling forces Punjab Police to adopt stricter checks before registering FIRs.
- For Judiciary: Reinforces the principle that FIRs must be based on verified facts, not untested allegations.
- For Society: Helps prevent harassment of individuals through misuse of email-based complaints.
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Wider Context
The NRI Cell was established to protect the interests of NRIs, especially in cases of property disputes, matrimonial issues, and fraud. However, over time, it has become a tool for personal vendettas.
- Email Complaints: Easy access through email has led to a flood of complaints, many of which lack evidence.
- Judicial Intervention: Courts have repeatedly stressed the need for caution in registering FIRs, as false cases can ruin reputations and lives.
Conclusion
The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s intervention is a wake-up call for the state government and police. By ordering the creation of an SOP, the court has sought to restore credibility and fairness to the NRI Cell. For NRIs, the ruling offers hope that their grievances will be addressed with seriousness, while misuse of the system will be curbed.
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This case highlights the broader challenge of balancing easy access to justice with safeguards against misuse. As Punjab drafts its SOP, the focus must remain on protecting genuine complainants while preventing harassment through frivolous FIRs.
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