RAHUL KUMAR VERMA vs BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~63 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of Decision: 12.03.2025 + W.P.(C) 3205/2025 RAHUL KUMAR VERMA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Shlok Chandra and Mr. Sankalp Sharma, Advs. versus BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Azim H. Laskar, Adv. for R-1. Mr. Udit Dedhiya and Mr. Vidur Dwivedi, Advs. for R-3/UOI. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA SACHIN DATTA, J. (ORAL) 1. The present petition, filed by the petitioner seeks quashing of notification dated 13.02.2025 (hereinafter ‘the impugned notification’), issued by the Badminton Association of India (respondent no.1), which notifies the selection criteria for the purpose of participation in the Para- Badminton events under the 2nd Khelo India Para Games, 2025 to be held at New Delhi from 20.03.2025 to 22.03.2025. 2. Broadly two grievances have been raised by the petitioner. 3. Firstly, it is stated that the impugned notification arbitrarily restricts the participation of female para-athletes by providing them with only 8 slots per event, whereas male para-athletes receive 16 slots per event. It is submitted that this tantamount to discrimination against female athletes, and is contrary to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. 4. Secondly, it is submitted that the selection criteria disproportionately Signature Not Verified W.P.(C) 3205/2025 Page 1 of 5 Digitally Signed By:ABHISHEK THAKUR Signing Date:13.03.2025 03:20:04 favours established international players by allocating 75% of available slots based on Badminton World Federation (BWF) Ranking. It is submitted that this approach directly contradicts the Khelo India Scheme which is intended to nurture and promote budding national level athletes. 5. Respective counsel for the parties have been heard at some l