Allahabad High Court Rejects Cop's Plea To Keep Beard While In Service

The Lucknow Bench passed the order on a writ petition filed by police constable who was suspended in November last year for maintaining a beard despite being told to shave it.

The Allahabad High Court has refused to allow a suspended Muslim policeman keep a beard while in service, saying it violates official orders and he can't seek protection under Article 25 of the Constitution. The Lucknow Bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan passed the order on a writ petition filed by police constable Mohd Farman, who was suspended in November last year for maintaining a beard despite being told to shave it. The state DGP had issued a circular on October 26, 2020, prohibiting policemen to keep a beard. The constable had approached the court against his suspension, seeking that he be allowed to keep a beard, citing Article 25, which deals with freedom of religion.