Maharashtra Protocol Update: No Special Honors for Convicted or Under-Investigation MLAs and MPs

The Maharashtra government issued a new Government Resolution (GR) on Tuesday, Notably amending the protocol rules for government officials. Under these new guidelines, officials are no longer required to stand up from their seats or accord special honors to elected representatives who have been declared criminals or are visiting government offices for court or departmental inquiries, while this move is intended to maintain the integrity and neutrality of administrative processes.

Specific Situations for the New Rule

According to the amendment, officials are exempt from following traditional protocols in several specific circumstances. This includes cases where an elected representative, such as an MLA or MP, has been found guilty in a criminal or other legal matter. On top of that, the protocol won't apply if a representative has been summoned as a party to any investigation or hearing. The rules also specify that during election-related procedures, such as filing nominations, scrutiny, or attending hearings, officials aren't required to follow special protocols.

Treatment as Ordinary Citizens

The order, signed by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, explicitly states that in such situations, officials are expected to treat elected representatives like ordinary citizens, while instead of adhering to special protocols, officials must act with impartiality within the framework of laws and regulations. A senior official from the General Administration Department (GAD) noted that showing excessive courtesy or standing up for an individual facing an investigation could potentially influence the outcome of the hearing, making this change necessary.

Rationale and Previous Regulations

Prior to this amendment, instructions issued on November 20, 2025, by the then Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar mandated that officials must stand and greet MLAs or MPs whenever they arrived for or left a meeting. The new amendment limits these rules to ensure that government officials remain entirely unbiased. The government believes that this step will help officials perform their duties without any perceived pressure or influence during sensitive legal or departmental matters.

This policy shift ensures that no individual facing investigation receives undue deference that could compromise the administrative process. The regulation aims to uphold the principle of equality before the law within government offices and ensures that the conduct of officials remains professional and objective at all times.