Punjab & Haryana High Court Upholds Promotion of Sportspersons in Police Force
Promotion of sports persons in police force are valid, provided they adhere to prescribed quotas for sports achievements and exceptional merit.
Chandigarh, September 4, 2025: In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the promotion of sports persons within the Punjab Police Force under the Punjab Police Rules, 1934. The judgment, delivered by Justice Jagmohan Bansal, addressed the legality and procedural adherence concerning the promotion of respondent No.7, a sportsperson who has been promoted to the rank of Inspector.
The petitioner, Jagdish Singh, challenged the promotion orders dated June 24 and June 25, 2025, which advanced respondent No.7 to the position of Inspector. Singh argued that the promotions were given out of turn and were not supported by the necessary reasons as stipulated under Rule 13.21 of the Punjab Police Rules. The petitioner further contended that the games played by the respondent were not covered by the state's policy, challenging the basis of the promotion.
However, the High Court found that the promotions were in compliance with the rules set forth under Proviso to Rule 13.1(3) and Rules 13.9 and 13.10 of the Punjab Police Rules, which allow for a 5% quota for sports persons and a 10% quota for promotions based on exceptional merit. Justice Bansal emphasized that the promotions did not affect the seniority or career progression of the petitioner, who had retired in April 2022. The court noted that the petitioner's challenge lacked locus standi, considering he had filed the petition post-retirement and did not establish any direct harm from the respondent's promotions.
The judgment clarified that the respondent No.7 was promoted under the quotas specified for sports persons and exceptional merit, and not under Rule 13.21, which requires recorded reasons for out-of-turn promotions. It was highlighted that the initial acceptance of the respondent as a sportsperson in 2003 laid the foundation for subsequent promotions within the designated quotas.
The court dismissed the petition, observing that Singh's objections were misconceived and that the promotions adhered strictly to the established quotas and procedural requirements. The dismissal also addressed the petitioner’s late objection to the promotions, suggesting it was a tactical move rather than a genuine grievance.
Justice Bansal also remarked on the petitioner's allegations of departmental proceedings against him for allegedly collecting documents related to respondent No.7, stating that the documents were largely of public nature.
This ruling reinforces the framework within which sports persons in the Punjab Police can be promoted, ensuring that their achievements are recognized while maintaining the integrity of the promotion process as per the police rules.
The case references included a previous judgment in Swaran Singh v. State of Punjab, which had implications on the promotion protocols, affirming the court's consistent application of the rules across similar cases.
By Legal Correspondent
Jagdish Singh v. State of Punjab, (Punjab And Haryana) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2780486
