The Punjab & Haryana High Court has ruled that Haryana must appoint Ankur Mittal and Abhishek Verma, two Arjuna-award-winning shooters, to Haryana Civil Services (HCS) or Haryana Police Services (HPS) roles under the 2018 Haryana Sports Policy, upholding the Haryana Civil Services reservation for sportspersons.
HC Orders Haryana to Appoint Arjuna-Awardee Shooters
The court also imposed a ₹50,000 penalty on the Haryana government for delaying the appointments without valid reason.
Case Summary of Haryana Civil Services reservation
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Ankur Mittal & Abhishek Verma (shooters) |
| Awards | Arjuna Award recipients |
| Policy | Haryana Sports Policy 2018 |
| Issue | State delayed appointments using 2019 amendment |
| Court Verdict | Shooters must be appointed as per 2018 rules |
| Penalty on Govt | ₹50,000 |
What Is the Haryana Sports Policy 2018?
The Haryana Sports Policy 2018 offers direct appointments in civil services to top-level athletes. The two shooters applied under this rule. However, the government denied appointments, citing a 2019 amendment which removed their sport category from the list. This move raised serious concerns about the Haryana government sports policy and its long-term consistency in protecting athlete rights.
High Court’s Ruling on Haryana Civil Services reservation
The High Court called the government’s amendment unfair and deliberately exclusionary. Additionally, it said the shooters had a legitimate expectation to be appointed. The court further rejected the claim that their sport was not featured in the Tokyo Olympics, saying it was irrelevant to their eligibility at the time of application.
Impact of the Verdict of Haryana Civil Services reservation
The High Court’s decision carries significant weight for the future of sports-based job reservations in India. It sets a strong legal precedent that government policies cannot be changed retroactively to deny eligible candidates their rightful benefits. By ordering Haryana to appoint Ankur Mittal and Abhishek Verma under the original 2018 sports policy, the court has reinforced the principle of fairness and trust in public policy. You can read the full HC Verdict on Times of India.
For athletes, this ruling offers hope that their achievements will be recognized in government recruitment without bias or bureaucratic delay. Moreover, it may also encourage more sportspersons to pursue civil services, knowing that their rights are protected by the judiciary. For the government, the judgment serves as a reminder to ensure transparency and consistency when amending public policies, especially those that affect national and international achievers.
Furthermore, beyond Haryana, the verdict may inspire similar petitions in other states where deserving athletes have been overlooked or blocked due to unclear or altered policy rules. Consequently, this could lead to stronger enforcement of sports quota systems and possibly even reforms in how such reservations are handled at the national level. In addition, it reinforces the role of the courts in upholding fairness for athletes across India.
A Victory Beyond Medals: Justice for Haryana’s Sporting Heroes
Undoubtedly, this court order is a win for Indian athletes. The decision strengthens trust in state policies and as a result, could lead to stricter implementation. Haryana must now respect its 2018 policy and ensure top athletes are fairly appointed.
This case is not just about two shooters—it’s about upholding promises to sportspersons who have brought honor to the country.
To stay updated with the latest developments in Haryana politics, sports policies, and government job updates, visit Haryana Khabhar — your trusted source for accurate and timely local news. Bookmark the site and follow us regularly to never miss an important update.
