Additional slot cannot be provided in Tokyo Paralympics says International Paralympic Committee; SC disposes of Naresh kumar Sharma's plea

By - Sameeksha Negi*

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has informed the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) that an additional participant from India cannot be included in the Tokyo Paralympic games commencing from August 24

Yesterday, Arjuna Award winner, Naresh Kumar Sharma (the petitioner) had approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to the PCI to recommend his name as an additional participant in the Tokyo Paralympic games as yesterday was the last day for recommending names for the Tokyo Paralympic games.

The bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, B.R. Gavai, and Krishna Murari directed the PCI to recommend the name of Naresh Sharma as an additional participant for the upcoming 50m shooting event in Tokyo Paralympics.

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According to Naresh Sharma, generally, three names are sent for each event but PCI has only recommended one name for the 50m shooting event. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh argued that earlier in July also, Sharma approached the Delhi High court to challenge the decision of PCI as he was excluded from the international event.

Though the Delhi HC observed that there was arbitrariness in the decision, any immediate order was not passed. It was also argued by him that the selection criteria of PCI were criticized by the Delhi High court. The high court had also directed the Centre to examine if there was foul play behind dropping him out.

It was brought to the notice of the Apex Court today that IPC has denied an additional slot stating that India gained only 10 slots in the qualifying event, hence additional slots cannot be granted. 

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On this objection raised by the IPC, the petitioner sought a direction to the Delhi High Court to hear Naresh’s pending appeal tomorrow wherein he has disputed the selection of another participant and prayed for substitution claiming that the said participant was not eligible to take part in the Tokyo Paralympics.

A bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna has disposed of the matter with liberty to the petitioner to approach the division bench of the Delhi High Court and has requested the Delhi High Court to consider his appeal expeditiously.

CLICK HERE TO READ ORDER DATED 02.08.2021. 

CLICK HERE TO READ ORDER DATED 03.08.2021.

*Sameeksha Negi has completed LL.M. from IMS Unison University, Dehradun this year.