HC to examine if awards can be sought through judicial process

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made clear its intent to examine whether a person can set the judicial process in motion for seeking an award such as Padma Shri.

Justice Rajan Gupta has also directed the forwarding of a petition on the issue to the counsel for the state and the Union of India for enabling them to address arguments on the subject.

Taking up a petition filed by Isher Singh Sobti against the Union of India and other respondents, Justice Rajan Gupta of the High Court asserted: “A question, however, arises, whether such an issue is justifiable and whether the petitioner can pray for issuance of writ of mandamus for seeking an award”.

Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the country after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. It is awarded by the Government of India every year on Republic Day in recognition of a citizen’s distinguished contribution to spheres of activity, including arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, medicine, social service and public affairs.

Justice Gupta asserted that the petitioner perceived that he was entitled to a Padma Shri award by the state in view of his achievements and citations contained mentioned in the petition.

Referring to the contents of the petition, Justice Gupta observed that the petitioner had raised a number of questions, including criteria followed by the Padma Award Committee, while decorating a person with any of the Padma awards.

He added that the petitioner was also of the view that he would be entitled to such an award in the absence of any adverse report against him.

The petitioner was also relying on Article 51-A of the Constitution to contend that the contribution of the petitioner to the field of literature and education was required to be recognised and he was required to be rewarded for the same.

Article 51-A on fundamental duties says that it shall be the duty of every citizen “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform”.

Justice Gupta kept the matter for the third week of December for enabling the Centre and the state to make clear their stand on the issue.

Padma Shri 4th highest civilian award

• The petitioner perceived that he was entitled to a Padma Shri award by the state in view of his achievements and citations contained mentioned in the petition
• Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the country after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan 
• It is awarded by the Government of India every year on Republic Day in recognition of a citizen’s distinguished contribution to spheres of activity, including arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, medicine, social service and public affairs