PUNEET BASSI Vs. PUNJAB UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this petition, a direction has been sought by the petitioner for his admission to three years LL.B. Course against the sportsman quota.

(2.) Petitioner passed B.Com. examination from Punjab University in 1994 with 53.75 per cent. marks. He has claimed himself to be a sportsman with following achievements in the field of sports (Basket Ball) and (Fencing) :a) Third Position In State Tournament organised by the Education Department from 5-12-1985 to 6-12-1985.b) Participated in Mini National School Games from 27-2-1986 to 3-3-1986.c) Second Position In State Tournament Organised by the Education Department, Chandigarh from 1-10-1988 to 4-10-1988.d) Second Position In State Tournament organised by Education Department, Chandigarh from 21-11-1988 to 24-11-1988.e) First Position In State Championship (Fencing) in December, 1991.f) Participation in National Championship (Fencing) in January 1992.

(3.) Petitioner applied for admission to LL.B. course starting from 1994-95. He claimed benefit of reservation of 5% seats for sports persons and asserted that on the basis of his achievements in the field of sports, he has a right to be admitted to three years LL. B. Course. As the respondents did not accord admission to the petitioner, he filed this petition and made the prayer as aforementioned. Petitioner has claimed that denial of admission to him is contrary to the University Act and Statutes as also the provisions contained in the Prospectus because he fulfils all the conditions for admission in the quota of sportsman and yet the respondents have arbitrarily ignored his candidature. Petitioner has pleaded that Fencing is an important international game, which has been included in the list of games approved by the Indian Olympic Association vide Annexure P-10 and this fact is also proved by the certificate issued by the Secretary General, Fencing Association of India, a body affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association (Annexure P-11). The petitioner has also challenged the action of the Law Department in including Best Physique, Cross-country Race and Yoga in the list of games disciplines (Annexure P-2) and simultaneous exclusion of the game of Fencing which stands approved by the international sports body as well as the Indian Olympic Association.