Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Calcutta High Court Rules Tattoo Removal After Medical Exam Not Permissible
A man who wanted to become a constable in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) was declared medically unfit because he had tattoos.
He tried to remove the tattoos before a review medical examination to be declared fit.
The Calcutta High Court said this was not allowed.
The court explained that the medical assessment should be based on the condition at the time of the initial medical examination.
In a similar case, the Delhi High Court allowed a candidate to remove tattoos before joining the Delhi Police, but the Calcutta High Court ruled differently in this case.
The Calcutta High Court ruled that removing tattoos after a detailed medical examination and before a review medical examination is not permissible.
An aspiring constable in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) was declared medically unfit due to tattoos on his right forearm and right flat foot.
The petitioner attempted to remove the tattoos on December 6, 2025, before the review medical examination.
The court stated that the medical assessment should be based on the condition at the time of the detailed medical examination on December 3, 2025.
In a related case, the Delhi High Court allowed a candidate to remove tattoos before joining the Delhi Police, but the Calcutta High Court ruled differently in this case.
- Who
- An aspiring constable in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Calcutta High Court
- What
- The court ruled that removing tattoos after a detailed medical examination and before a review medical examination is not permissible
- When
- The initial medical examination was on December 3, 2025, the tattoos were removed on December 6, 2025, and the court's decision was on January 2, 2026
- Where
- Calcutta High Court, India
- Why
- The court determined that the petitioner's health condition, including tattoos, must be assessed based on the situation at the time of the detailed medical examination
- Petitioner
- Aspiring constable in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
- Initial Medical Examination Date
- December 3, 2025
- Tattoo Removal Date
- December 6, 2025
- Court's Decision Date
- January 2, 2026
- Judge
- Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya
- Tattoo Locations
- Right forearm and right flat foot
- Related Case
- Delhi High Court ruling on tattoo removal for Delhi Police constable
