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The Delhi High Court will hear tomorrow plea by Arjuna Awardee Raj Kumar against his non selection in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

Raj Kumar has alleged discrimination on the part of the Selection Committee of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Badminton Association of India (BAI), in not selecting his pair with Parul Dalsukhbhai Parmar, for mixed doubles SL 3- SU 5 event.

The matter was listed before the single judge bench of Justice Rekha Palli who was informed by the Badminton Association that its role was only receiving invitations and confirming the same. The Bipartite system is a discretionary system that falls into play if by merit somebody is not available.

It was further informed that the the players were selected after achieving a certain rank in the Race to Tokyo Paralympic event. As per the Ranking List published on May 20, 2021, Raj Kumar and his pair Parul Dalsukhbhai Parmar stand at rank no 6 with total 2360 points. However he was supposed to rank 4 in the said event.

Advocate Sunny Singhla, appearing for the petitioner, informed the court that the petitioner’s entry was sent by Badminton Association of India on June 16, 2021. Thereafter the Association received an email on June 24, 2021 stating the Association has to select between two pairs, namely Pramod Bhagat & Palak Kohli or Tarun & Jyoti and in the reply to this mail, the Association selected the entry of Pramod Bhagat and Palak Kohli, when the petitioner’s entry was still under consideration.

The Court however adjourned the matter after directing the parties to file details with regard to the selection procedure.

The Division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh is also hearing another plea by Paralympian Naresh Kumar Sharma against his non selection at Tokya Paralympics 2020.

Case Title: Raj Kumar v. Paralympic Committee of India