IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.20425 of 2006 Date of Decision: 6.02.2009 Balwinder Singh Petitioner Versus U.T. Administration Respondent CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.S.THAKUR, CHIEFJUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASBIR SINGH Present: Ms.Manisha Sharma, Advocate for Mr.P.K.Mutneja, Advocate for U.T. Administration, Chandigarh … Jasbir Singh, J. The petitioner, in his letter dated 6.12.2006, has drawn attention of this Court towards tragic death of two young students, namely, Gurinder Singh and Devinder Singh, residents of Rajpura in the State of Punjab. It appears that the petitioner was moved by a news clipping which has appeared in newspaper Hindustan Times on 28.11.2006, wherein it was mentioned that above two students, who had gone to Chennai (Tamil Nadu), to participate in 31st National Yoga Championship, had died when attempting to swim in the Sea. It is the apprehension of the petitioner that the above said boys might have been allured by some fictitious sports association on a promise that participation in sports championship will get them benefit in future studies/jobs. The petitioner has prayed for an enquiry into the incident and remedial measures, so that any such tragedy does not occur again. Civil Writ Petition No.20425 of 2006 2 Vide order dated 15.12.2006, Hon’ble the Chief Justice ordered that above said letter be put up on judicial side, for consideration. It is how this writ petition came up for hearing before this Court. Upon notice, reply has been filed by the respondent Union Territory, Chandigarh through Inderjit Singh Sandhu, Director Sports, wherein it has been stated that as per investigation, trip to Chennai was organized by Sports Organization / Association based in Himachal Pradesh which has not direct or indirect link with the respondent. Both the players were students of DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh. It was for the management of the above said College, to see that its students were not put to trouble by anybody. It is further stated that Yoga is not a recognized discipline of Sports in Chandigarh. Written statement further goes to say that the sports department of Union Territory, Chandigarh provides requisite infrastructure for the sport events, in the games recognized by it. The sports meets are being organized by the department taking note of safety measures. Respondent has also stated that in view of facts mentioned above, it is not under any obligation to pay compensation to the parents of the students who had died in the unfortunate incident aforementioned. Counsel for the parties heard. As per records, the respondent Union Territory Chandigarh cannot be blamed in any manner, for the accident in question. The students went to Chennai at the instance of some Sports Association, operating from the State of Himachal Pradesh. They were students of a private institution in Chandigarh. In view of above, we feel that this writ petition can be disposed of by issuing directions to Director Sports Union Territory Chandigarh that as and when any sports meet is organized in Chandigarh, proper arrangements be made to ensure safety of the participants. Further that when any student/ sports person is deputed to participate in inter-State/ National sports events, proper arrangements be made to Civil Writ Petition No.20425 of 2006 3 see that the participant(s) may not be put to any danger of receipt of injury etc. Always an attempt be made to send the sports contingent under the care and guidance of a senior experienced teacher/ any other official as the occasion may require. Disposed of. (JASBIR SINGH) JUDGE 6.02.2009 (T.S.THAKUR) gk CHIEF JUSTICE