'This Is Your Way Of Encouraging Sportspersons?' : Supreme Court Criticises Himachal Govt For Opposing Appointment Of Asian Games Medallist

The Supreme Court on Thursday (November 28) criticised the Himachal Pradesh Government for denying appointment to an Asian gold medallist in the sports quota.

"This is your way of encouraging sportspersons? Somebody won a gold medal in the Asian games of 2014, your CM should have adopted a pragmatic approach," the Court asked.

A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was hearing the case concerning the appointment of Kabbadi player Pooja Thakur.

The Court refused to interfere with the 2023 High Court order which upheld a single judge's order directing Thakur's appointment to the post of Excise and Taxation Officer effective from the date of her application to the Chief Minister in July 2015.

"You make this person run from pillar to post for 7 years. This is the approach of the state while dealing with the sportspersons!" Justice Oka expressed dismay.

Dismissing the State's appeal, the Court ordered :

"The High Court has dealt with the manner in which the first respondent who is a distinguished sportsperson has been dealt with by the government. She has won a gold medal in the Asian games in November 2014. Considering the factual aspects, we find that this is not a fit case to interfere under Article 136 of the Constitution." 

Case : THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND ORS. Versus POOJA THAKUR AND ORS.| SLP(C) No. 990/2024