The Bombay High Court has directed the Union government to take a decision by May 4 on awarding the Padma Vibhushan posthumously to wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India’s first Olympic medallist.
Justices Madhav Jamdar and Pravin Patil of the HC Kolhapur bench, in their April 15 order, said there was no dispute that Jadhav, a wrestler hailing from Maharashtra, was India’s first individual Olympic medallist.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by ‘Kusteeveer Khashaba Jadhav Foundation’, founded by his son Ranjeet Jadhav.
The PIL sought directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (the Padma award body) to consider and re-decide its representation for the posthumous award of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, to Khashab Dadasaheb Jadhav.
“The Union of India is directed to take the appropriate decision on or before May 4,” the HC said and posted the matter for further hearing on May 5.
The state government, if required, will expeditiously comply with all the demands, the court said.
Khashaba Jadhav, who died in 1984, won a bronze medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He was awarded the Arjuna Award posthumously in 2001.
The PIL alleged that the family of the deceased wrestler filed several representations before the government to get recognition for him. When there was no response, the foundation moved the high court.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
20 Apr 2026 13:31 IST
