Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Centre Secures Approval for Chouhan’s Gallantry Medal
Vivek Singh Chouhan was a police officer in Madhya Pradesh in 2003.
He led an operation against dacoits after receiving information about them.
Two dacoits were killed, and Chouhan was hurt.
A later inquiry cleared him of wrongdoing.
Officials recommended that he receive a bravery medal.
The recommendation became the subject of a long court dispute.
The Centre has now said that the President approved the President’s Medal for Gallantry for Chouhan.
The award is expected to be officially published soon, so the Supreme Court closed the latest application.
The Centre told the Supreme Court that President-approved clearance has been granted for former police officer Vivek Singh Chouhan’s President’s Medal for Gallantry.
The award recognizes Chouhan’s June 24, 2003 operation in which two dacoits were killed and Chouhan was injured.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the award will be notified in the Gazette of India.
The Supreme Court was hearing a challenge by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan against contempt proceedings linked to non-compliance with a Madhya Pradesh High Court order.
The High Court had earlier rejected an approval for a different Gallantry Medal as insufficient, saying it was distinct from the President’s Gallantry Medal.
- Who
- The Centre, the Supreme Court, former police officer Vivek Singh Chouhan, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan were involved in the proceedings.
- What
- Approval was granted for conferring the President’s Medal for Gallantry on Chouhan.
- When
- The approval communication was dated August 20, 2026, and the Supreme Court considered the matter on August 21.
- Where
- The matter was heard by the Supreme Court in New Delhi and arose from proceedings in the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
- Why
- The award followed Chouhan’s 2003 operation against dacoits and years of litigation over the government’s failure to confer the honour.
High Court’s Position
Centre’s Position
Whether earlier approval complied with the order
High Court’s Position
The Madhya Pradesh High Court said an earlier approval was insufficient because the Gallantry Medal and the President’s Gallantry Medal were distinct honours, with the latter described as the higher distinction.
Centre’s Position
The Centre initially relied on its approval of a Gallantry Medal, but later told the Supreme Court that the President had approved the specifically requested President’s Medal for Gallantry.
Contempt and compliance
High Court’s Position
The High Court held the Union Home Secretary prima facie guilty of contempt for failing to comply with its direction to confer the award within a month.
Centre’s Position
The Union Home Secretary approached the Supreme Court, and the Centre subsequently produced the August 20 communication confirming approval of the requested award.
- Award recipient
- Former police officer Vivek Singh Chouhan
- Award
- President’s Medal for Gallantry
- Recognized action
- June 24, 2003 operation in which two dacoits were killed
- Officer’s condition
- Chouhan was injured during the operation
- Approval authority
- The President approved the award after examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Next step
- The award will be notified in the Gazette of India
- Court outcome
- The Supreme Court said the Union Home Secretary’s application required no further consideration