The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved an order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the authorities to prohibit the affixation of images of the deities on the walls for the prevention of the open public urination or spitting on the 'sacred images or littering garbage around it.

Lucknow Aug 23 PTI 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 cant 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 Passing the order the HC Bench said not shaving a beard despite being given directions by higher officials is a violation of the circular by the Director General of Police and as such is not only a wrong behaviour but also the misdemeanour misdeed and delinquency of the cop Observing that keeping a beard by a member of a disciplined force may not be protected under Article 25 the Bench held This is a domain of competent authority to issue guidelines in respect of wearing proper uniform and keeping the appearance in a manner required for the members of a disciplined force and no interference should be done Rebutting the plea that maintaining a beard is a fundamental right of the petitioner the Bench said Article 25 of the Constitution of India does not confer absolute right in this regard All rights have to be viewed in the context and letter and spirit in which they have been framed under the Constitution As a matter of fact rights guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India have inbuilt restrictions it said Dismissing the petition on August 12 the Bench directed the authorities to conduct and conclude the departmental inquiry against the petitioner in accordance with law PTI CORR NAV RDK RDK