The Delhi High Court recently ruled that a scar from tattoo removal cannot disqualify a candidate from joining the Delhi Police.

This decision was made by a Bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpalia, who upheld a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) ruling favoring Deepak Yadav's application for a constable position with the Delhi Police.

Yadav had been previously declared unfit by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) due to a faded tattoo on his right forearm observed during a medical exam. At that time, Yadav was undergoing tattoo removal, which left only a faint scar by the time the case reached the High Court.

The Court noted that such scars are sometimes a natural outcome of tattoo removal and should not be grounds for disqualification. It confirmed that Yadav’s forearm no longer displayed a visible tattoo and that he met all other eligibility criteria.

The Court also highlighted that candidates with objectionable tattoos are generally given a specific timeframe to have them removed. Failure to do so could lead to disqualification. In Yadav's case, the initial medical examination occurred on January 20, followed by a review on January 22, 2024, during which he was already in the process of removing the tattoo. The Court granted relief based on the fact that only a scar remained.

Advocates Apoorv Kurup, Gurjas Narula, and Aanchal Dubey represented the petitioners challenging the CAT order (SSC and others), while the respondent-candidate was represented by Esha Mazumdar, Setu Niket, Unni Mayas, Ishan Singh, and Chetna.

Case Title: SSC & Ors v Deepak Yadav