Direction to Deciding Authority to Treat Writ Petition as Representation for Reviewing Sportsperson Selection Lists.

The three applicants, seeking appointment under the "outstanding sportspersons" category, challenged the provisional selection list dated 11.02.2026.

They alleged that despite being eligible and having applied, they were excluded from the list due to "arbitrary action, bias, and favouritism" by the official respondents in favor of private respondents.

Procedurally, the applicants filed a miscellaneous application (MA 572/2026) for permission to file a joint petition, which was granted.

During the hearing, the applicants restricted their prayer, seeking a direction for the respondents to treat the Original Application as a formal representation for administrative redressal.

1. Whether the exclusion of the applicants from the provisional selection list for outstanding sportspersons was arbitrary and in violation of the prescribed recruitment rules.

2. Whether the Tribunal should direct the respondents to consider the applicants' grievances through a reasoned administrative order.

Jammu and Kashmir Appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons Rules, 1998.

Principle of Administrative Exhaustion/Representation, allowing statutory bodies the first opportunity to rectify alleged errors through reasoned, speaking orders in accordance with existing law and regulations.

The Tribunal did not adjudicate on the merits of the allegations of bias or the validity of the selection list.

The court reasoned that since the matter pertained to recruitment under specific sports rules, the Executive (Respondents) must first evaluate the claim against the "Jammu and Kashmir Appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons Rules, 1998".

To ensure natural justice, the court mandated that the interests of the private respondents (already on the selection list) must be considered during this administrative review.

The analysis emphasizes procedural fairness by requiring a "reasoned, comprehensive, and speaking order" within a stipulated timeframe.

It directed the respondents to treat the O.A. and its annexures as a representation and decide the claim within eight weeks from the receipt of the order.

The holding specifies that the decision must be made in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons Rules, 1998, must involve/associate the private respondents, and the final reasoned order must be communicated to the applicants within one week of the decision.

No costs were awarded.