Madhya Pradesh: The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has permitted mountaineer Megha Parmar to make a representation before the State authorities for reconsideration of her claim for the Vikram Award 2023, emphasizing the importance of due process in award selection procedures.
Justice Amit Seth heard the writ petition filed by Megha Parmar @ Megha Parmar Sharma (post-marriage), seeking directions to the respondent authorities to confer the Vikram Award 2023 upon her. The court observed, “The petitioner has filed the instant writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a direction to the respondent authorities to deliver the Vikram Award 2023 to her.”
Addressing concerns over the selection criteria, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that the award should be granted on the basis of priority—i.e., who summited first—and argued that the petitioner had completed her climb earlier. Reference was made to various provisions under Puraskar Niyam 2021, particularly Rule 9, sub-rule (2), clause (iii).
The court took note of the selection process already conducted by a duly constituted committee, which had chosen Kumari Bhavna Dehariya for the Vikram Award 2023. It observed, “It is open for the petitioner to represent her claim before respondent No.1, raising all grounds, and it shall be open for respondent No.1 to consider the same in accordance with law.”
Emphasizing the necessity of fair consideration for all eligible candidates, the court clarified that the selection of Bhavna Dehariya was not under challenge, nor was she impleaded as a party respondent.
The State’s counsel submitted that the selection was conducted by a properly constituted committee and sought time to file a detailed reply.
The court directed the State authorities to consider the petitioner’s representation in accordance with law and granted two weeks’ time to file their response.
Case Title: Megha Parmar @ Megha Parmar Sharma (Post Marriage) vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.
Appearances:
Shri Vivek Tankha, Senior Advocate with Shri Atul Kumar Jain, appeared for the petitioner.
Shri Swapnil Ganguli, Additional Advocate General, appeared for the State of Madhya Pradesh.
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