Madhya Pradesh High Court Upholds Bhawna Dehariya’s Selection for 2023 Vikram Award
The court said only achievements within the previous five years qualify under the 2021 rules.
Overview
- Justice Pranay Verma on December 8 dismissed Madhusudan Patidar’s petition challenging the Adventure Sports award selection.
- The court found Patidar ineligible because his Mount Everest summit on May 21, 2017 fell outside the five-year eligibility window for the 2023 award.
- Applying Rule 9(1), the bench held the process lawful since the rules require online applications by July 31 and do not demand a formal government notification.
- Court records showed applications were invited through notices and press releases in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and the petitioner had availed the same process he later questioned.
- With the challenge dismissed after earlier interim restraint, the State’s nomination of Bhawna Dehariya remains in place and the award process can proceed toward conferral in 2025.