Delhi HC refuses to direct Centre for participation of jiu-jitsu player in ongoing Asian Games

The Delhi High Court has declined to intervene in the Centre’s decision not to field an Indian contingent in the men’s 94-kg jiu-jitsu category at the 20 th Asian Games being held in Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya.

Justice Amit Mahajan dismissed a petition filed by athlete Shubham Kumar on September 22, holding that the court could not direct the authorities to send an athlete to an event in which they had decided not to participate.

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The court also noted that the Asian Games had commenced on September 19, leaving little scope for granting any effective relief to the athlete.

Mr. Kumar had approached the court seeking directions to facilitate his participation in the jiu-jitsu event in the men’s 94-kg category. His counsel argued that although the athlete fulfilled the eligibility requirements, his candidature was not processed for the Games.