The Supreme Court of India on October 5, 2026, set aside a Bombay High Court order that had disallowed Goa weightlifter Vaishnavi S. Ugadekar from selection to the post of Coach (Grade-IV) in weightlifting, and directed the High Court to decide the matter afresh after hearing both candidates. The bench, comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, found that the High Court had passed the impugned order without impleading or affording any opportunity of hearing to Ugadekar, who was one of only two candidates competing for the post.

"Considering that the appellant and respondent No. 4 are the only two candidates competing for the post, we deem it appropriate to direct the High Court to decide the matter afresh after affording an opportunity of hearing to both parties," the court observed. Consequently, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and restored the writ petition filed by the other candidate for fresh consideration on merits .

The dispute arose during the selection process for the coach post in Goa. Ugadekar had raised a complaint regarding the fairness of the selection process, following which the competent authority of the State Government directed that the tests be re-conducted. The other candidate, respondent No. 4, then approached the Bombay High Court at Goa by way of a writ petition, which resulted in the order adverse to Ugadekar without making her a party.

Procedural Fairness Emphasised

The Supreme Court noted that the failure to implead Ugadekar and hear her before passing the order amounted to a violation of natural justice. The bench directed that Ugadekar shall be impleaded as a party before the High Court and that the writ petition be decided afresh on its own merits, unaffected by the earlier order or the Supreme Court's own observations. The court also requested the High Court to decide the matter at the earliest and directed that its interim order passed earlier shall remain in operation during the pendency of the writ petition.

"It is made clear that the High Court shall not be influenced either by its own previous order or by this order, and the matter shall be decided afresh on its own merits ," the Supreme Court stated. The appeal was disposed of in these terms, and all pending applications stood disposed of.

Practical Impact

The case highlights the importance of affording a hearing to all affected parties, especially in selection matters where only a few candidates are in contention. By setting aside the High Court's order and restoring the writ petition, the Supreme Court has ensured that the selection process will now proceed with due regard to fairness and natural justice. Ugadekar, who had earlier challenged the fairness of the initial tests, will now have an opportunity to present her case before the High Court alongside the other candidate.

The Supreme Court granted leave to appeal and disposed of the matter with the above directions. The order was passed after hearing counsel for both sides, including Mr. Salvador Santosh Rebello for the petitioner and Ms. Shirin Khajuria for the respondents. The High Court has been requested to decide the writ petition expeditiously, and the interim order protecting Ugadekar's interests will remain in force until a final decision is reached.