Srinagar, Jul 17: Department of Youth Services & Sports on Friday said it has taken note of certain statements made by Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh, a Wushu athlete, on various media platforms alleging injustice in relation to his non-selection under S.O.-12 of 2022, which governs the appointment of Outstanding Sports Persons.
In the interest of transparency and to place the correct factual and legal position before the public, the Department said it acknowledged that Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh has represented India and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in Wushu and has secured medals during his sporting career and respect his sporting achievements. However, appointments under S.O.-12 of 2022 are governed strictly by the statutory provisions contained therein, and eligibility is determined exclusively in accordance with those Rules rather than on sporting achievements alone, the YSS said.
According to the Department, Singh had submitted an application seeking appointment under S.O.-12 of 2022. As part of the recruitment process, all applications underwent detailed scrutiny and verification through the concerned National and International Sports Federations and other competent authorities to establish the authenticity of sporting achievements and the eligibility of applicants under the notified Rules.
During this verification, it was established that Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh had been held guilty of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee in Doping Case No. 2018-IC-01 (Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh), vide its decision dated 04 June 2019.
The disciplinary decision categorically recorded the presence of the prohibited substances (Mephentermine and Phentermine) in the athlete’s sample.
Consequently, under Article 10.2 of the IWUF Anti-Doping Rules, Singh was declared ineligible, subjected to a period of ban, and all competitive results obtained at the concerned event stood disqualified, including forfeiture of medals, awards, prizes, ranking points and all other consequential sporting benefits. He was also prohibited from participating in any competition or sport-related activity during the prescribed period.
The Department further stated that every applicant under S.O.-12 of 2022 was required to furnish a declaration affirming that they had not been found guilty of any Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Despite the existence of the international disciplinary decision, Singh submitted a declaration stating that he had not been found guilty of any Anti-Doping Rule Violation. The furnishing of a declaration contrary to the official record raises serious concerns regarding the correctness and bona fides of the information supplied.
It emphasized that Rule 4(ii) of S.O.-12 of 2022 expressly provides that any applicant found guilty of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation shall stand disqualified from the selection process. The Rule is mandatory in nature and leaves no discretion with the Selection Committee.
The Department clarifies that the Selection Committee constituted under Rule 3(2) of S.O.-12 of 2022 is empowered only to scrutinize applications in accordance with the notified Rules. It possesses no statutory authority to relax, dilute, ignore or reinterpret the disqualification prescribed under Rule 4(ii). Any decision contrary to the express provisions of the Rules would itself have been illegal, arbitrary and inconsistent with the principles governing public employment.
The Department also clarified that Singh had challenged the disciplinary action before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the Anti-Doping findings were not set aside and therefore remained valid and binding.
Refuting allegations of arbitrary action, the Department stated that Singh was provided a reasonable opportunity to present his case and submit supporting documents. His representation was examined in accordance with the principles of natural justice before the competent authority concluded that the statutory disqualification under Rule 4(ii) applied in his case. A reasoned order communicating the grounds of disqualification was subsequently issued to him.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and fairness, the Department stated that recruitment under S.O.-12 of 2022 was conducted strictly in accordance with the notified Rules following multi-level scrutiny and verification by the competent authorities. It advised all stakeholders to refrain from circulating misleading or incomplete narratives that overlook the statutory framework governing the recruitment process.
The Department reiterated that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir remains committed to promoting clean sport and recognizing deserving athletes who uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and sportsmanship, while ensuring uniform enforcement of Anti-Doping regulations and recruitment rules without fear or favour.
