NEERAJ Vs. STATE OF HARYANA & OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Respondents No.7 and 8 were appointed as Sub Inspector and Constable in Haryana Police in the Outstanding Sports Person category.

(2.) They joined service of the police department in the years 2011 and 2013 respectively. The challenge in the instant petition is to the validity of the appointments made without inviting applications from eligible OSPs through public advertisement and also on the plea that 'Bodybuilding' is not a sport or game prescribed in the Sports Policy, 2009 issued by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Haryana.

(3.) The Sports policy accords high priority to the promotion of sports in the State. The Sports Department has listed 42 sports/games for providing sporting activities under various schemes and programmes. Admittedly, 'Bodybuilding' is not on the list. The Policy lists 25 sports/games under the heading 'Olympic Games' and 17 sports/games under the heading 'NonOlympic Games'. The policy provides for awards to coaches including cash awards. It lays down the selection criteria for Bhim Awards etc. and wages for referees, umpires and judges.