SC sustain Muslim cop's dismissal for two wives

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a dismissed Muslim employee of Rajasthan Police whose service was terminated 22 years ago for contracting second marriage in contravention of the service rule. A Bench headed Justice V S Sirpurkar dismissed the appeal filed by Liyakat Ali Khan challenging the Rajasthan High Court's judgement upholding the state government's decision to terminate his service. Liyakat, while remaining in the service, had contracted second marriage without divorcing his first wife.
The Rajasthan Civil Services (conduct) Rule, 1971 allows a civil servant to contract second marriage either after divorcing his first living wife or on prior permission from the government. After disciplinary committee had found him guilty of violating the rules, his service was terminated by the government. Liyakat had challenged his termination order before the Jaipur High Court on the ground that he had obtained the divorce under the Muslim personal law from his first wife.