PIL against 'kirpan' permission to Sikhs on flights dismissed by Delhi High Court

A petition filed against permission to members of the Sikh community to carry 'kirpan' or daggers on flights has been dismissed.

The Delhi High Court on 22 December 2022 rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) which sought the setting-up of a committee of stakeholders to examine the issue.

The petitioner contended that he was “not questioning” the right to profess and practice a religion under Article 25 of the Constitution but only wanted the constitution of a committee of stakeholders to examine the issue.

“I admit that Article 25 allows the carriage of a kirpan. But when you are flying, the regulator must apply its mind. I want constitution of a committee of stakeholders to examine the issue. If the committee feels that the notification is good, so be it. Not a problem,” he had said.

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The petitioner, a lawyer, challenged a March 4, 2022 notification by the Centre which said Sikh passengers shall have exceptional regulatory sanction to carry kirpans having blade length of not more than six inches and total length of not more than nine inches whilst on board any civilian flight in India that is operating on all domestic routes.

The court had earlier observed that the permission to Sikhs is government policy and the judiciary cannot interfere unless it is arbitrary.

(With PTI inputs)