Decide by May 4 on Padma Vibhushan to Olympian Jadhav: HC to Centre

The Bombay High Court has directed the Union Government to decide by May 4 on conferment of the Padma Vibhushan award posthumously to wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India’s first individual Olympic medallist.

Justices Madhav Jamdar and Pravin Patil of the HC’s Kolhapur bench, in the order on April 15, said it is not disputed that Jadhav, a wrestler hailing from Maharashtra, was India’s first individual Olympic medallist. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the ‘Kusteeveer Khashaba Jadhav Foundation’, founded by his son Ranjeet Jadhav.

The PIL sought a direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Padma Awards Cell) to consider and decide afresh their representation for posthumous conferment of Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, to Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav.

“The Union of India is directed to take an appropriate decision on or before May 4,” the HC said, posting the matter for further hearing on May 5. The state Government, if required, shall comply with any requirements expeditiously, the court said.

Khashaba Jadhav, who passed away in 1984, had won the bronze medal in the Helsinki Olympic Games held in 1952.

He was awarded the Arjuna Award posthumously in 2001.

The PIL claimed the late wrestler’s family had filed several representations before the Government to get recognition for him. When there was no response, the foundation moved the High Court.