Madurai: Muslim policemen working in the Tamil Nadu Police are not prohibited from growing beards. They are allowed to keep trim, tidy beards, the Madurai branch of the Madras High Court has opined that it is customary for Muslims as it’s their faith. The court observed while hearing the plea filed by G Abdul Qader Ibrahim, a first-level police constable from Madurai, who was sued for having a beard in 2018.
Later, a departmental inquiry was initiated against him and his salary increment was withheld for 2 years for growing beard. Justice L Victoria Gowri stated that maintaining a beard in line with his faith was allowed in the rules of the Police Act and canceled the police commissioner’s order suspending the cop’s salary increment. “The beauty and uniqueness of India is the fusion of diverse beliefs and cultures of its citizens.
Our specialty is unity in diversity,” Judge Victoria Gowri said. The case background The petitioner is working as a police Constable in Madurai and he belongs to the Muslim community. He used to keep a beard according to his religious belief.
He went to Mecca and Medina for 31 days from November 9 to December 9, 2018, on leave. Later, he requested the Assistant Commissioner of Police to extend his leave on December 10 due to an injury to his left leg. But his leave was not extended and a departmental inquiry was conducted seeking an explanation regarding his beard.
Later, The officer’s increment was reduced by two years as punishment for.
