Bombay HC: Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards Not Titles, Can't Be Used as Prefix/Suffix

• Bombay High Court reiterated that civilian honours like Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are not official titles.
• These awards cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to the names of the awardees.
• Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan objected to 'Padmashree Dr. Sharad M Hardikar' in a case title, directing its removal.
• The High Court cited a 1995 Supreme Court Constitution Bench judgment, which held national honours do not confer titles.
• Usage is legally impermissible and contrary to settled law, as per Article 141 of the Constitution.

Why It Matters: Civilian awards are national recognition, not titles for names, as per Bombay HC and Supreme Court.