Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday sought response from Haryana on the question of granting leave to Olympian Boxer Vijender Singh for going abroad.
Hearing a petition filed by Vijender Singh, a Division Bench of Justice Satish Kumar Mittal and Justice Mahavir Singh Chauhan directed Haryana Government to file its reply by August 28, the next date of hearing. The boxer is a DSP in Haryana Police.
In his petition in the High Court, Vijender Singh has sought directions to Haryana to approve his leave for going abroad. His petition says that he has applied for leave to undergo training in United Kingdom as he wishes to join professional boxing. But the Police department is not taking a decision on his application.
During the course of hearing, counsel for Vijender told court that petitioner was ready to proceed on leave without pay.
Taking a note of this assertion the High Court issued notice to Haryana.
His counsel told the court that a boxer’s entering into a professional boxing does not harm his contribution in the game for the country.
He cited the example of Mohammad Ali, who entered professional boxing after representing America in Olympics.
He quoted that many professional players in Golf and Tennis are considered representatives of the country.
The High Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about Vijender’s entering into Professional Boxing and called for framing of rules to grant benefits to the players, who decide to play for riches.