UP cop suspended for wearing beard

Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) : Wearing a beard without permission is a no-no for cops. And Intesar Ali dug his heels, inviting action.

This sub-inspector in Uttar Pradesh Police has been suspended and sent to the police lines. Because, he kept a beard without permission.

Ali had been warned thrice to shave off or seek requisite permission for the same, IANS reported.

However, he did not reportedly seek permission and continued to wear the beard.

SP Baghpat Abhishek Singh said as per the police manual only Sikhs are allowed to keep a beard while all other cops have to remain clean-shaven.

"If any police personnel want to keep a beard, he has to seek permission for the same. Intesar Ali was repeatedly asked to seek permission but he did not comply and kept the beard without permission," the SP said.

Ali joined the police force as sub-inspector and was posted in Baghpat for the past three years.

He told reporters he had applied permission to keep a beard but got no response.

This report from IANS has been edited