Vinod Kumar v. State Of Haryana And Another

CWP-28543-2025(O&M) -1-

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CWP-28543-2025(O&M) Date of Decision: 06.05.2026 VINOD KUMAR ....Petitioner vs.

STATE OF HARYANA AND ANOTHER ....Respondents

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAGMOHAN BANSAL

Present:

Mr. Vijay Kumar Jindal, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Anshumaan, Advocate Mr. Vijayveer Singh, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Deepak Vashisht, D.A.G, Haryana *** JAGMOHAN BANSAL, J. (ORAL) 1.

The petitioner through instant petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India is seeking direction to respondents to grant him recognition by way of rewards, employment for his remarkable achievements in Tokyo Paralympics 2020 as granted to Smt. Vinesh Phogat. 2.

The petitioner participated in Tokyo Paralympics 2020. He secured bronze medal (F-52 Category). The expert committee of Tokyo Paralympics disqualified him and his bronze medal was withdrawn. He was treated as participant in Tokyo Paralympics 2020. The Paralympics committee of India vide letter dated 04.07.2021 forwarded a list of qualifying players. The committee examined claim of all the sportspersons

CWP-28543-2025(O&M) -2including the petitioner. As per notification dated 05.09.2019, the petitioner was entitled to cash award of Rs.15 Lakhs as participant, however, State Government treated his achievement as fourth place in Tokyo Paralympics and awarded him Rs.50 Lakhs. The petitioner claims that Smt. Vinesh Phogat participated in Paralympics 2024. She won silver medal which was withdrawn still State Government considered her as silver medal winner and released benefits available to a silver medal winner. Case of petitioner is at par with Smt. Vinesh Phogat. He should also be granted same benefit. 3.

Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner participated in Tokyo Paralympics 2020 and secured bronze medal which was later on withdrawn by Expert Committee. He was awarded a sum of Rs. 50,00,000/-. His achievement was treated as 4th place in Tokyo Para Olympics 2020. Smt. Vinesh Phogat participated in Paris Olympics 2024. She won Silver Medal. Her medal was withdrawn still respondent considered her as silver medal winner and awarded cash award of Rs. 4 Crore. The petitioner should also be awarded as bronze medal winner.

4.

Learned State counsel submits that petitioner cannot claim parity with Vinesh Phogat because she participated in Paris Olympics 2024 wheres petitioner participated in Tokyo Paralympics 2020. His case was also considered as special case and he was released cash award of Rs. 50 Lakh.

5.

Heard the arguments and perused the record.

6.

The petitioner is claiming parity with Smt. Vinesh Phogat who was initially declared as Silver Medal winner in Paris Olympics, 2024. Her

CWP-28543-2025(O&M) -3medal was also withdrawn like petitioner's medal. The petitioner participated in Paralympics 2020. He won bronze medal which was withdrawn by Expert Committee. He was entitled to cash award of ₹15 Lakhs as participant, however, his case was considered as special case and was paid cash award of ₹50 Lakhs treated as having secured fourth position. He had not actually won medal still was paid cash award of ₹50 Lakhs instead of ₹15 Lakhs. Smt. Vinesh Phogat participated in 2024 i.e. after 4 years of participation of petitioner in Paralympics 2020. The respondent considered Smt. Vinesh Phogat's case and treated her position as Silver Medal winner. The petitioner cannot claim parity with Smt. Vinesh Phogat on account of following reasons: - (i) The petitioner participated in 2020 whereas Smt. Vinesh Phogat participated in 2024.

(ii) The petitioner was not paid cash award as participant whereas his case was treated as special case and was awarded ₹50 Lakhs, thus, he got benefit which was not admissible to him. He has already received benefit over and above his entitlement. (iii) The Court cannot ask Authorities to travel beyond its policy and award cash contrary to policy just on the ground that undue advantage has been given to another person.

(iv) The petitioner accepted cash award in 2021. At that point of time, he had no objection. Smt. Vinesh Phogat was paid cash award after 4 years. The petitioner cannot claim parity with respect to an event which occurred more than 3 years later and petitioner had already happily accepted the award. If contention of the petitioner is

CWP-28543-2025(O&M) -4accepted, every player would claim parity with a player who participates after a couple of years. He can also claim that when he participated a meagre amount was awarded whereas in the subsequent years for the same achievement higher award has been determined. By no stretch of imagination, this type of parity can be recognized. (v) The petitioner could claim parity with players who had participated in Paralympics 2020. He cannot claim parity with participants of Paris Olympics 2024.

7.

In view of above findings, this Court is of the considered opinion that claim of the petitioner is wholly unsustainable and mis-conceived. It deserves to be rejected and accordingly rejected. 8.

Dismissed.

9.

Pending Misc. application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of. (JAGMOHAN BANSAL) JUDGE 06.05.2026 paramjit Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes Whether reportable:

Yes