ESHVITA BHADOO Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The question which arises for consideration is whether the petitioner is entitled to seek counter-signature and consequential acceptance of her 'Sports Gradation' for the purpose of admission in the State of Punjab?

(2.) The petitioner is a domicile of State of Punjab. She has passed her 10+1 and 10+2 examination from a school situated in Union Territory, Chandigarh. She also participated in 'UT State School Tournament' in Basket Ball and has been granted Grade 'C' Certificate by the Chandigarh Administration (Annexure P-4).

(3.) The petitioner applied for counter-signing of the said Sports Gradation Certificate by the Department of Sports, Punjab, so that she could claim benefit of reservation meant for sports persons in the State of Punjab. Her request has been declined by the Director Sports, Punjab, vide impugned communication, dated 07.07.2017, for three reasons, namely, (i) as per Gradation Policy 1997 as amended on 18.08.2008, only Gold, Silver and Bronze medal holders are eligible for gradation; (ii) only those sports gradation certificates of Chandigarh Administration can be counter-signed which are issued to such residents of Union Territory whose parents are in service of Punjab State and are posted at Chandigarh during the relevant period; and (iii) such sports persons must have played as a nominee of State of Punjab.