Sacramento, CA — A Sikh being held in a Northern California county jail has sued his jailers for refusing to allow him to openly wear a turban.

Harpal Singh Cheema, of Union City, claims his religious freedom is being violated by Yuba County jail restrictions regulating his use of head covering.

Some jails prohibit turbans out of fear that weapons could be hidden inside.

Cheema is in jail awaiting the outcome of a political asylum request.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U-S District Court in Sacramento by attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union.