High Court · 2025

WP No. 30922 of 2025IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED: 20-08-2025CORAMTHE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESHWP No. 30922 of 20251. Minor.K.AdhiraRepresented By Her Next Friend Mother Rubasoundari, W/o. Kuppuasamy No. 68/1 Mariyaman Koil Street, Machipalayam, Gobichettipalayam, Nambiyur Post, Erode District – 638 458Petitioner(s)Vs1. The Director Of School EducationDpi Campus, College Road, Chennai2.The Joint Director Of EducationNational Service Scheme, Dpi Campus, College Road Chennai 600 006.3.The Chief Inspector Of Physical EducationDpi Campus College Road, Chennai https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 2025600 006.4.The Chief Educational OfficerDHARMAPURI5.The District Inspector Of Physical E Duation,DHARMAPURI6.The District Inspector Of Physical EducationPudukottaiRespondent(s)PRAYERDirecting the respondents 1 to 3 to conduct a fresh selection process for the under 15 girls volleyball Team at a venue in a different district strictly in accordance with the prescribed guidelines protocols and principles of fairness and transparency preferably under the supervision of an expert selection committee with the entire trials being video graphed.For Petitioner(s):Mr.V.AnandhamoorthyFor Respondent(s):Mrs.S Mythreye Chandru Special Government Pleader ORDERThis writ petition has been filed for the issue of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 3 to conduct the fresh selection process for the under 15 girls volleyball Team by following the guidelines, protocols and principles of fairness and transparency preferably under the supervision of an expert selection committee.https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 20252. When the matter was taken up for hearing on 18.08.2025, this Court upon hearing both sides passed the following order,“Pursuant to the earlier order passed by this Court on 14.08.2025, the matter was listed for hearing today. The 5 th respondent has filed a counter affidavit and the learned Special Government Pleader also produced the written instructions received from the 5 th respondent. 2. The main allegations that have made by the petitioner is that the entire selection process was done in complete violation of the Rules and Regulations framed by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI). The learned counsel for the petitioner specifically pointed out Regulation 1, 2, 4 and 8 of the Regulations. It was submitted that a minimum of 15 days advance notice must be given to the participants before conducting the trial and whereas, in the instant case, notice was dated 28.07.225 and whereas, the trial was conducted on 07.08.2025. The next allegation is that the composition of selection committee must contain minimum of four members and whereas, in the instant case, admittedly there were only three members. That apart, insofar as one of the member whose name is found in the proceedings as Arul Murugan, the signature of the final selection list contains the name of Arul Prabhu. Hence, it is not known whether the same person whose name is mentioned in the proceedings had actually signed in the final selection list. The third allegation made is that the selection process was not video graphed as required under Regulation 4. In view of the same, the learned counsel relied upon https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 2025Regulation 8, which shows that the noncompliance of these conditions will result in disqualification. 3. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents submitted that final selection list had to be submitted on 20.08.2025 and the respondents were left with very little time. Therefore, the selection was conducted on 07.08.2025 after issuing notice dated 28.07.2025. It was contended that this by itself will not vitiate the selection process. The learned Special Government Pleader also pointed out to Paragraph 6 of the Counter affidavit where the explanation was given as to why it required the change of venue. 4. Insofar the Composition Committee, the learned Special Government Pleader relied upon the proceedings of the 3 rd respondent dated 28.07.2025 and submitted that a minimum of three members will sufficiently comply with the requirements. Insofar as the compliance of regulation 4, the learned Special Government Pleader submitted that the entire selection has been photographed and video graphed. 5. The selection has taken place after inviting 131 students and ultimately, eight students have been selected in the final selection list dated 07.08.2025. The selection list has to be sent to the School Games Federation of India, Lucknow. Considering the limited time left, this Court directs the 1 st respondent to deal with the complaints made by the petitioner and see if there is any gross violation of the SGFI Regulations. The report shall be placed before this Court on 20.08.2025.https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 20256. Post this case at the end of the motion list on 20.08.2025.”3. Pursuant to the above order, the 1st respondent has conducted an enquiry and report has been placed before this Court. The relevant portions are extracted hereunder,“5) It is submitted that the communication of SGFI for conducting Centralized selection trials for World School Volleyball Championship dated 25.07.2025 was received by Chief Inspector of Physical Education through email on 25.07.2025.6) Since the deadline for submission of 8 top level players was mentioned as 20th August 2025 in the SGFI communication, due to shortage of working days for finalization of meritorious candidates by way of conducting selection, due to rains, 3 consecutive public holidays from 15.8.2025 to 17.08.2025, the Chief Inspector of Physical Education fixed the date of 07.08.2025 for Girls at Dharmapuri and 08.08.2025 for Boys at Pudukkottai as per proceedings Rc. No.012150/CIPE/2025, dated 28.07.2025. This is only to complete the selection process well in advance and to intimate the final selected candidates for further travel arrangements.7) It is submitted that the name of Thiru. D. Arul Prabu, SDAT coach who was very much known as Arul Murugan by others was selected as Selection Committee member by DIPE, Dharmapuri per as his letter Rc.No. 144/DIPE/2025, dated 05.08.2025. In this communication, his name was wrongly mentioned https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 2025as Thiru Arul Murugan and this is only by typographical error. His ID card is enclosed herewith for verification purposes. Due to this name mistake in the proceedings, the entire selection process cannot be found faulted.8) It is submitted that based on the SGFI Rules and regulations, three Selection Committee members, namely, Thiru. Arul Prabhu, SDAT coach, Thiru.M.Suresh Babu, All India University Volley ball player and Thiru. Jayaprakash Narayanan, University Volley ball player were appointed by DIPE, Dharmapuri for conducting selection process with transparency. In addition to these three Selection committee members, 3 observers, namely, Thiru.M.Kumaresan, DIPE, Coimbatore district, Thiru.S.Mahendran, DIPE, Tiruppur district and Thiru.T.Periyasamy, DIPE, The Nilgiris district were also appointed by CIPE proceedings Rc. No.012150/CIPE/2025, dated 30.07.2025.9) It is submitted that around 131 students were participated in the selection process conducted on 07.08.2025 at Dharmapuri and finally 8 top rankers were selected based on the performance for National level selection scheduled at Balewadi, Pune. The petitioner K.Adhira was not in the top 8 rankers and her ranking was only at 69 out of 131 students and her claim for selection is not possible and the claim is baseless allegation. The ranking assigned to all candidates enclosed herewith.10)It is submitted that the scrutinisation of records reveals that the selection process was https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 2025conducted with transparency by 3 Selection Committee members and 3 Observers and the marks awarded for all the students submitted herewith.11)It is submitted that necessary instructions will be issued to Chief Inspector of Physical Education to follow the Rules and regulations issued by the SGFI in prescribing 15 days advance notice period, 4 Selection Committee members composition and other norms.”4. The 1st respondent has found that there is no illegality in the selection process and the candidates were selected as eight top rankers based on their performance. 5. In the light of above findings, no further orders can be passed in this writ petition, except wishing good luck to the petitioner for the future selections.6. In the result, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed. 20-08-2025gdIndex:Yes/NoSpeaking/Non-speaking orderInternet:YesNeutral Citation:Yes/Nohttps://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 2025To1.The Director Of School EducationDpi Campus, College Road, Chennai2.Joint Director Of EducationNational Service Scheme, Dpi Campus, College Road Chennai 600 006.3.Chief Inspector Of PhysicaleducaitonDpi Campus College Road, Chennai 600 006.4.Chief Educational OfficerDHARMAPURI5.District Inspector Of Physical E Duation,DHARMAPURI6.District Inspector Of Physical EducationPUDUKOTTAIhttps://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30922 of 2025N.ANAND VENKATESH J.gdWP No. 30922 of 2025 20-08-2025https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis