Tattoo Should Have Been Removed Prior To Recruitment Process: Gujarat HC Rejects Plea By Man Who Sought Appointment In BSF

The Gujarat High Court has rejected the plea by a man who had approached the Court after he was declared unfit for a job in Border Security Force in view of a tattoo on his forearm.

The bench of Justice A.S. Supehia noted that the candidate should have undergone the process of removal of tattoo prior to participation in the recruitment process.

In this case, petitioner applied for the post of Constable Store Keeper (Male) in Border Security Force (BSF) and cleared all the examinations and thereafter, he was called for Medical Examination.

It is the case of the petitioner that he has not been appointed in view of a tattoo on his right forearm.

He thereafter, got the tattoo removed and accordingly, also obtained certificate.

The petitioner was called for Review Medical Examination however, he was declared unfit.

Advocate CZ Sankhla appeared for the petitioner.

The Court observed that the norms are already published by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Directorate General Board Security Force) in the detailed advertisement.

"In the advertisement, the location and size of tattoo are already mentioned. It is also mentioned that in case of a candidate, who has undergone removal process of tattoo "prior to appearing in the recruitment process" and the same has faded substantially, the same will be treated as a scar and not a tattoo and such candidate is permitted to undergo the entire selection process with the approval of Presiding Officer of the Recruitment Board…", the Court noted.

The Court noted that as per the provision of the advertisement tattoo should have been removed prior to the recruitment process and the same must have faded substantially.

"…the petitioner cannot claim appointment in the Disciplined Force, after removal of his tattoo, that too after undergoing the recruitment process.", the Court held.

Accordingly, the Court rejected the petition.

Cause Title- Mahendra Chawla v. Union of India

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