Ex-Cop Who Saved Public By Killing Dacoit Moves Supreme Court Seeking Action On Gallantry Award Recommendation Made 34 Years Ago

In a 83-year-old retired Constable's plea for authorities to act on his recommendation for the Gallantry Award, the Supreme Court recently called for the State of Uttar Pradesh's response.

The Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta, KV Viswanathan and Sandeep Mehta was hearing petitioner-Ram Autar's challenge to an Allahabad High Court order, which denied his prayer on the ground that he had approached belatedly.

Notably, the petitioner, formerly a police constalbe, was recommended for Gallantry award by the Superintendent of Police, Banda on August 3, 1989. In 2023, he approached the High Court with a prayer to issue a writ of mandamus for action on the recommendation, claiming that he had made representations to the authorities repeatedly.

On perusing the record, the High Court did not find any "genuine reason" for the delay exhibited in the matter. "It has been repeatedly held by the Supreme Court as well as by this court that if the litigant is not vigilant to his rights and has been sitting back for no justifiable reason, he may not be permitted to invoke equitable jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India," it said.

Taking note of the petitioner's age, the High Court further commented that he was "not going to gain any thing in service period on account of a police medal" even if awarded at this stage.

However, considering the petitioner's "act of bravery in saving the public by killing a dacoit" and the fact that he was recommended for the Gallantry award, the top Court issued notice. It also appointed Senior Advocate Rana Mukherjee as Amicus Curiae to assist in the matter.

Case Title: Ram Autar Singh Yadav v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors., Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s).26568/2023