Delhi High Court asks Selection Committee to reconsider Paralympian Yogesh Kathuniya for Khel Ratna

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government's selection committee to reconsider whether paralympic athlete Yogesh Kathuniya could be conferred the Khel Ratna award [Yogesh Kathunia vs Union Of India And Ors.]..Kathuniya - who was earlier conferred the Arjuna award for winning a silver medal for the men's discus throw during the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo - had filed a petition before the High Court challenging his non-inclusion in the list of awardees of the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award for 2024.When the matter was heard by Justice Sachin Datta yesterday, the judge initially questioned how the Court could interfere in such a matter. "How can a writ be issued to direct to confer Khel Ratna Award?” he asked. .Representing Kathuniya, Advocate Nitin Yadav referred to an earlier High Court judgment to show that such direction could be passed. The Court eventually directed the Selection Committee to conduct a fresh scrutiny of Kathuniya's application and make a suitable decision in accordance with the scheme of Khel Ratna awards. Observing that the Khel Ratna award ceremony will be taking place on January 17, the Court further directed that, “If he (Kathuniya) is found to be eligible then the requisite steps shall be taken to confer Khel Ratna award to him.”.Kathuniya's petition had recounted that the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and State had invited applications for the award on the basis of recommendations given by the Khel Ratna Selection Committee.Kathuniya had applied for the same. However, his name was not on the list of the awardees released by the Ministry earlier this month. The athlete questioned this turn of events.“It is noteworthy that the petitioner (Kathuniya) despite being the highest marks scorer for the awards in accordance with the scheme, has been not been conferred with the award in most unjust and arbitrary manner," his petition before the High Court said. Kathuniya had further argued that going by his past performance and achievements, he deserved consideration for the award since he had scored the highest marks.