NEW DELHI: If you are crazy about getting tattoos and want to get inked, better think twice. The bodily display of art may render you unfit for a job in the Delhi Police on medical grounds.
This is what happened to Gaurav Yadav, a tattoo-lover from Delhi, who had a permanent piece on his right hand when he applied for the post of sub-inspector in 2014. The 25-year-old had to fight a long legal battle after he was declared unfit for the job.
Yadav stated that he successfully cleared the written tests, but the medical board objected to a tattoo on his hand and declared him unfit. He challenged the opinion of the medical board before the CAT and after two years of legal battle, a verdict came in his favour. The tribunal directed the police department to induct him in three months’ time. While raising the objections on the opinion of the medical board, the CAT said, “The applicant (Yadav) can’t be denied job on the basis of having a tattoo. This can’t be a ground for dismissal from the service.”
Following the verdict, Yadav told Express, “The tattoo on my arm is 18x8 cms in dimension and it will in no way creates any hurdle in discharging my duties. I have also sought opinion from various doctors and they all have declared me fit. I have produced all my records before the tribunal and I am very happy that order was passed in my favour.”
Notably, the Indian Army too came out with a policy last year which states that youngsters with flashy and intricate tattoos won’t be eligible to join the force.
According to the Army, permanent tattoos are health hazards, as they can act as carriers of certain diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis B.