The Supreme Court has issued notice in a seniority dispute involving former Indian cricketer Joginder Sharma and former international wrestler Geetika Jakhar, both serving as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in Haryana under the Outstanding Sportsperson category. The officers have challenged a judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which denied them seniority from the date of their initial appointment.

The High Court had upheld the State of Haryana’s stand that the petitioners could not be granted seniority from their appointment dates since their confirmation was delayed by nearly 15 years owing to non-completion of mandatory police training. The delay, however, occurred during the period when both officers were representing Haryana and India in national and international sporting events.

Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Prateek Som argued that the High Court failed to appreciate the exceptional circumstances under which the delay in training arose. He submitted that the petitioners were relieved from training and probation under official directions of the State to participate in sporting events an activity recognised as official duty under Haryana’s policy for sportspersons.

Hearing the Special Leave Petitions, a Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India directed issuance of notice to the State of Haryana and ordered that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) be impleaded as a respondent. The Court further directed that any induction to the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the cadre of DSPs in Haryana shall remain subject to the final outcome of the petitions.