Archive · 30 Jul 2026
High Court Orders J&K Official to Explain Denial of Judge
Bilquis Mir is a judge for kayaking and canoeing at the Paris Olympics.
She was supposed to judge a world cup race in Hungary, but the government in Jammu and Kashmir said she didn’t have permission.
The high court said the government was wrong and told the official, Shahid Choudhary, to come to court on August 3, 2026.
The court also warned that if the government keeps delaying, India might send a team to the Asian Games without a coach.
The Indian Kayaking Federation had asked for Mir’s help to coach the team for the Asian Games and Olympics.
The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court admonished the J&K administration for denying provisional permission to Olympic judge Bilquis Mir to officiate at the Canoe Sprint World Cup in Hungary.
Bilquis Mir, India's first female judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was prevented from attending the event because the government failed to grant her permission in time.
The court directed Commissioner/Secretary Shahid Choudhary to appear in person on August 3, 2026, to explain why the earlier court order was not complied with.
The court also warned that the J&K administration’s delay could lead to India sending a team without a coach to the Asian Games 2026.
The Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Federation had requested Mir’s services as a national coach for the Indian team’s preparation for the Asian Games and Olympics.
- Who
- Bilquis Mir, Shahid Choudhary, J&K administration
- What
- Denial of provisional permission for Mir to officiate at the Canoe Sprint World Cup
- When
- July 30, 2026
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, India; event in Hungary
- Why
- To allow Mir to serve as judge and coach for the Indian team
- Judge
- Bilquis Mir
- Court
- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court
- Decision Date
- July 30, 2026
- Directive
- Choudhary to appear on August 3, 2026
- Event
- Canoe Sprint World Cup, Hungary