HC denies boxer Samota's plea for Arjuna Award consideration

The Delhi High Court Thursday denied relief to 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Paramjeet Samota, dismissing his plea that he be considered for the Arjuna Awards.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru, noting though Samota was "most deserving" candidate, said that as all the nominations have been received and considered by the Arjuna Awards selection committee and names have been made public, nothing can be done at the last hour. The Arjuna Awards ceremony will be held Friday.

"The last date for receiving nomination was April 30 and at this stage all the nominations received have been considered by the committee and the list of selected awarded has already been made public. In given circumstances no relief can be granted in present case not because Samota is not a deserving candidate but the process has been completed," said the court.

Samota moved the court seeking to set aside the decision taken by the Arjuna Award selection committee not to consider Jai Bhagwan for the coveted honour.

Appearing for sports ministry, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain raised objections on the contentions of Samota, saying he never forwarded his nomination to selection committee and it never decided his case.

The controversial recommendation of Jai Bhagwan for the prestigious award led to Samota and Manoj Kumar to approach the court asking to consider them. Manoj Kumar has recently also moved the court for not being considered for the award and now the court posted his case in December for hearing.

Samota, a resident of Haryana's Bhiwani, told the court said that he is an outstanding sportsman who performed exceptionally in various international and national sports tournament.

His plea said that as per the guidelines for selection committee in making recommendations for conferment of the Arjuna Awards, 90 percent weightage would be given for medals won by sportspersons in various international championships during last four years.

Samota said he secured the maximum 67 points, while Manoj Kumar has 32 points and Jai Bhagwan only 30 points. His plea said that he forwarded his nomination form through formal channels within stipulated time and as per the guidelines through senior superintendent of police of Hisar.