Supreme Court clears coach Bilquis Mir for Asian Games

The Supreme Court has directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to issue a no objection certificate and relieving order to international water sports coach Bilquis Mir by September 15, 2026. This ruling allows Mir, a physical education teacher in the J&K Youth Services Department, to join the Indian National Kayaking and Canoeing Team as chief coach for the Asian Games in Japan, which are scheduled to begin on September 19.

The court quashed a previous order from the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court and a June 2026 government order that had denied Mir permission due to pending departmental inquiries. In its judgment, the bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi emphasized that sports administration operates on strict timelines, noting that selection, training, and international competitions cannot be postponed for ordinary administrative processes.

The court clarified that while employees do not have an absolute right to a favorable administrative decision, they are entitled to fair, reasonable, and timely consideration of their requests. The ruling follows a previous delay that caused Mir to miss an assignment as Chief Finish Line Judge at the World Cup in Hungary.