Delhi High Court Rules Tattoo Removal Scars Not Grounds for Disqualification from Delhi Police Recruitment
The Delhi High Court recently overturned a decision by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) that had declared Deepak Yadav unfit for a Delhi Police constable position due to a faded tattoo on his forearm. The Court ruled that a scar from a tattoo removal procedure cannot disqualify a candidate from joining the police force [SSC and ors v. Deepak Yadav].
Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpalia upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) decision to support Yadav’s candidacy. Initially, Yadav had been rejected due to the faded tattoo observed during a medical examination, despite undergoing tattoo removal treatment.
The High Court noted that the candidate’s forearm now only bore a faint scar where the tattoo had been, which is a common outcome of such procedures and does not warrant disqualification. The Court emphasized that the absence of a visible tattoo and Yadav’s overall eligibility were critical factors in its decision.
The Court observed that Yadav had been undergoing the tattoo removal process between the initial and review medical examinations. This timing meant that Yadav did not have the opportunity to present his updated medical status to the Review Medical Board.
With the tattoo no longer visible and only a scar remaining, the Court directed that Yadav be allowed to join the police training in the next available batch. It stressed that the presence of a faint scar, which can be a natural result of tattoo removal, should not be a basis for disqualification.
Advocates Apoorv Kurup, Gurjas Narula, and Aanchal Dubey represented the petitioners challenging the CAT decision, while Yadav was represented by Esha Mazumdar, Setu Niket, Unni Mayas, Ishan Singh, and Chetna.
(With inputs from agency)
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