Court Quashes Punishment of Muslim Policeman for Sporting Beard

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has annulled the punishment of a Muslim constable, Abdul Khadar Ibrahim, who faced disciplinary action for keeping a beard. The court ruled that the disciplinary action was unjust, ordering the Madurai Police Commissioner to issue a suitable order within eight weeks.

In a significant judgment, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court annulled the punishment order against a Muslim policeman, Abdul Khadar Ibrahim, for sporting a beard. The court emphasized the right of the policeman to maintain his beard in line with his religious beliefs.

Ibrahim, serving as a Grade I police constable in Madurai, had taken a month-long vacation in Makkah and Madinah. Upon his return, he requested an extension of leave due to a leg injury, which was not granted. This led to a departmental inquiry and a reduction in his pay increment by two years as a penalty for maintaining his beard.

The court denounced the punishment, stressing that neat beards are permissible for policemen under the Police Act. It ordered the suspension of the pay increment punishment and directed the Madurai Police Commissioner to issue an appropriate order within eight weeks.