Aishwarya Rathore-
Published on August 03, 2021, at 4:05 PM
In a stunning turn of events in the case of 5-time Paralympian shooter and Arjuna Award winner Naresh Kumar Sharma, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has stated that that it is not possible to include an additional participant from India in the Tokyo Paralympic games starting from August 24.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court directed the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) to suggest his name as an additional participant in the 50 meter parashooter event at the Tokyo Paralympics, finding that his exclusion was arbitrary. The PCI was also directed by the Court to report compliance today.
However, the International Committee informed the PCI through an email that India had earned only 10 slots in the qualification event and that an additional slot could not be granted.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, the counsel for the petitioner requested for a direction to the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court to take up Sharma’s pending appeal tomorrow itself. Sharma has raised argument to include him by disqualifying another participant.
Accepting Singh’s plea, the bench dismissed the Special Leave Petition and granted liberty to him to approach to the High Court. The bench also requested the High Court to consider the matter expeditiously.
Naresh Kumar Sharma had approached the Court, aggrieved by the “arbitrary and biased” decision of the PCI in not selecting him for the Tokyo event.
Yesterday, the bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari had directed the PCI to recommend his name as an additional participant, without dislodging already selected candidates, in the Tokyo event.
In the background, he approached the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh brought the issue before the Chief Justice of India yesterday morning for urgent consideration, claiming that otherwise the matter will become infructuous.
The Supreme Court observed that the petitioner ought to have succeeded before the High Court, in the light of the findings made by it, and appropriate directions ought to have been issued to the PCI to include him as a participant for the event.
Sharma stated in his plea that though the Single Judge had come to a finding that there was bias and favoritism in PCI’s conduct and an investigation was ordered, no relief was granted to him.
Sharma added that notice was issued on his appeal which is slated to be heard on August 6, by when the matter will become infructuous as today is the last day for acceptance of applications by the International Paralympics Committee.
Also Read: Delhi HC issues Notice against Naresh Kumar Appeal for Non- Selection