New Delhi/IBNS, Nov. 25 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to interfere with a Delhi High Court judgment that upheld the dismissal of Army officer Samuel Kamalesan, a Christian by faith, who refused to enter the inner sanctum of a temple during regimental religious duties.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said his conduct amounted to a serious lapse in military discipline, LiveLaw reported.

Kamalesan had argued that being compelled to enter the sanctum during rituals violated his religious freedom under Article 25.

He maintained that he regularly accompanied his troops to both the temple and the gurdwara during weekly parades but objected only to stepping inside the innermost chamber.

The b...