Kochi, June 4

The Army’s decision to dismiss a sepoy who refused to remove his beard on religious grounds has been upheld by the Kochi Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal.An application had been filed before the Tribunal by Maktumhusen challenging the order of his discharge from military service for refusing to remove his beard.Maktumhusen had joined as sepoy in Army Medical Corps in April 2001 and was transferred to 371 Field Hospital in 2010.On his request, the Commanding Officer had granted him permission to grow beard on religious grounds.He was given directions to apply for fresh ID card imposing conditions that he had to give an undertaking in writing to keep the beard for remainder period of his service. However, the permission was withdrawn later. — PTI