Wear a big mustache, lose your job. That’s what happened to an airline employee in India.

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Victor Joynath De was grounded by Indian – formerly called Indian Airlines- in 2001 for refusing to shave off his handlebar moustache.

He had earlier lost a case in a lower court which ruled that the airline was within its rights to sack him.

According to Indian rules, all crew members should be clean shaven.

A moustache, if worn, should not extend beyond the upper lip, says the rule book.

The guidelines do not apply to Sikh employees who are allowed to keep moustaches.

The Indian Supreme Court has now stepped into the case asking for Indian Airlines to support its position. The supreme court has assigned two clean shaven judges, but one could see why supreme court justice P. Sathasivam (pictured) might be asking “Hey! What’s wrong with a mustache that is longer than than the upper lip!?”