Maharashtra Muslim police constable suspended for keeping beard; Supreme Court to hear his review plea

The Supreme Court agreed to consider hearing a plea raising an issue whether the suspension of a Muslim police constable for keeping a beard is a violation of the constitutional right to practice religion.

The case challenges the suspension based on the Bombay Police Manual of 1951, which led to the disciplinary action against the constable of the Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force (SRPF).

Constable Zahiroddin S Bedade was suspended for his refusal to comply with the grooming regulations that prohibit beards.

Article 25 of the Constitution pertains to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise, and propagate religion.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra agreed to examine the issue.

“This is an important issue of the Constitution… We will list the matter for hearing on a non-miscellaneous day,” the CJI said, after being told that the case was before the Lok Adalat and remained unresolved.

Earlier, the bench had offered to revoke his suspension if he agreed to shave his beard. The petitioner, however, had then refused to accept the condition.