Sikhs wearing kara/kirpan to be allowed to take DSSSB exam if they reach 1 hr before time, HC told
New Delhi(PTI): The Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) informed the Delhi High Court on Friday it has decided to allow Sikh candidates to appear in examinations with metallic kara (bangle) or kirpan (dagger) subject to their reaching the centre at least one hour before the reporting time.
Taking into consideration the submissions of the counsel for the DSSSB, a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said no further orders are required to be passed and disposed of the petition filed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).
The bench noted the board has issued revised guidelines which make it clear that it has taken a decision to allow Sikh candidates wearing kara and/or kirpan to take the examination.
However, such persons shall report at the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time or else they will not be allowed to sit for the exam.
It is clear (from the guidelines) that if in screening, any candidate is found carrying any suspicious item in kara or kirpan, he or she will not be permitted to appear in the exam, the court noted.
Earlier, in July, a single judge of the high court had held as unsustainable a Sikh woman candidate being prevented from appearing in a competitive examination till she removed her metallic kara despite reaching the examination centre before the closing time in terms of the admit card.
The petitioner woman, who had challenged the denial of permission to her to appear in the PGT-Economics (Female) examination, argued the action by the authorities cannot be sustained on the ground that there was already a notification informing the candidates desirous of wearing a kara and/or kirpan to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time as it was notified two days after the examination was held.
The single judge had said it was highly unfortunate that a specialised body like DSSSB, which regularly holds examinations with a large number of Sikh candidates appearing, did not take timely action to inform the candidates about the conditions related to the two Sikh religious symbols.
The court had then directed the DSSSB to ensure that adequate notice, which is well in advance, is given concerning the additional requirement to reach the examination centre one hour before the reporting time in case a candidate is wearing a kara and/or kirpan so no undue hardship is caused to them.
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Mumbai businessman blackmailed for ₹80 lakh, accused also demands sexual favours from his wife
Mumbai: A businessman from Powai was allegedly blackmailed by his friend, who demanded ₹80 lakh and sexual favours from his wife. The accused, identified as John Pereira, claimed to possess compromising videos of the businessman and objectionable photos of his wife and her friends.
According to reports, Pereira made WhatsApp calls to threaten the businessman, warning that he would share the images and videos with the victim’s family, friends, and colleagues if his demands were not met. The couple was allegedly harassed for six months, from August 2024 to January 2025.
The businessman eventually approached the police and lodged a complaint at Powai Police Station. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the matter has been transferred to DN Nagar Police for further investigation. No arrests have been made so far.
