Madras High Court Dismisses PIL Seeking Increase In Sports Quota In Higher Educational Institutions

The Madras High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking increase in the number of seats under the Sports Quota in higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu.

The division bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice PD Audikesavalu observed that the matter is beyond the purview of writ jurisdiction of the court as it is a policy decision of the government.

The petitioner, Salem District Nature and Environment Protection Society submitted that there is no regulated quota to the sports persons in higher studies in Tamil Nadu. The president of the society, Arthanari also submitted that even though in Tamil Nadu a lot of students are taking sports as a career, no proper reservation or regularised reservation is being given to them causing great injustice.

It was also submitted that even though the total number of seats in different courses has increased voluminously, the seats allotted to sports have not increased.

The society submitted that though multiple representations have been made, no steps have been taken in this regard which has necessitated creation of proper law relating to sports quota in higher educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.

Though it acknowledged that the matter comes within the purview of policy decisions, the petitioner said the inaction of authorities has affected the welfare of the public and in such situations the court has the power to act for the welfare of the public.

Case Title: Salem District Nature and Environment Protection Society v. Chief Secretary to Government and others

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Mad) 157