Permod Kohli, J.

1. Both these writ petitions raise common questions of law and facts. Primarily, the facts from Civil Writ Petition No. 14927 of 2005, are being noticed.

2. Petitioner, a Muslim by religion, joined the Air Force on 19.12.2001 as an Airman and later on promoted to the rank of Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) in August, 2004. At the time of joining his service, he was not supporting a bed. The petitioner vide his application dated 10.01.2005 informed his superiors that he intends to support a beard. His request was not acceded to by the respondents. It is alleged that on 16.06.2005, the petitioner was threatened by respondent No. 4 that he will be discharged being mentally unfit if he continues to apply for supporting a beard. The petitioner has further stated that he proceeded on 40 days annual leave w.e.f. 20.06.2005 and during leave he did not shave his beard and reported back on 01.08.2005 supporting a beard for which he was put under close arrest and issued a warning letter dated 01.08.2005 whereby he was informed that he was supporting a beard in service uniform while on duty without prior permission from the appropriate level. He was further informed that th