Acquitted, but the FIR still shows?

The court said: take it off.

Lahore High Court, W.P. 40844 of 2025, 18 Jul 2025.

• The orderA police certificate that shows his acquittal.
• AndNo mention of the FIR.
• WhyFairness, dignity and the presumption of innocence.

A kite. An FIR.

Lahore, 2024.

• The caseAn FIR under the Punjab kite-flying law.
• 20 Dec 2024Acquitted under section 249-A, CrPC.
• 13 Mar 2025His police certificate for UK travel still lists the FIR.

He asked. They waited.

Then came a written no.

• 2 May 2025High Court: decide his application in 15 days.
• NextNo decision. He files for contempt.
• 3 Jun 2025The Home Secretary refuses.

The ruling.

Once the acquittal is final.

• No more tyingAuthorities cannot keep linking you to that charge.
• The certificateMust show your real legal status.
• The FIRLeave it out.

What is 249-A?

Section 249-A, CrPC.

“Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prevent a Magistrate from acquitting an accused at any stage of the case if after hearing the prosecutor and the accused and for reasons to be recorded, he considers that the charge is groundless or that there is no probability of the accused being convicted of any offence.”

Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 · s.249-A, Acquittal at any stage

Myth or fact?

What people fear.

• Myth: An FIR stays on your record forever, even after acquittal.
• Fact: After a final acquittal, the Lahore High Court ordered the FIR left off his police certificate.

Your steps.

What he did.

• Certified copiesThe acquittal order, and proof it is final.
• Apply in writingFor a certificate that shows the acquittal.
• Refused or ignored?He went to the High Court in a writ petition.

Cleared? In 3 lines.

The slide to keep.

• Acquitted and finalYou are not "the accused" any more.
• The certificateShould say so.
• If it does notApply, then the High Court.

An old FIR on you?

Ask FAI for the judgments.

• I was acquitted but my police certificate still shows the FIR. What can I do?
• Can an old FIR block a job after acquittal?

Example questions

Sources

• Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 · s.249-A
  Acquittal at any stage