India, Sept. 23 -- The Allahabad high court has cautioned the management of a retail chain against compelling employees to wear Santa Claus red caps at workplace, observing that such compulsion may hurt the sentiments of people of different faiths and beliefs.

"This type of action is not permitted in the democratic system of the country wherein every citizen is free to follow his/her faith and belief," the court said.

Justice Saurabh Srivastava made the observation while partly allowing an application filed by one Vikram Singh alias Vishwa Vikram Singh who had challenged criminal proceedings initiated against him.

The applicant was facing an FIR under Sections 298 (uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious fee...