Karnataka High Court Orders State Government to Compensate International Chess Player Rs 10 Lakh for Denied MBBS Seat

The Karnataka High Court has delivered a significant judgement in favor of international chess player Sanjana Raghunath, ordering the State government to compensate her with Rs 10 lakh for denying her an MBBS seat in a government medical college under the sports quota. The Court found the State’s actions to be arbitrary, causing Raghunath significant hardship and forcing her to take admission in a private seat.

Raghunath, a talented chess player who has won several prestigious competitions, challenged a circular issued by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) in June 2023. The circular required applicants to have participated and won in specific sports events within a certain time frame to be eligible for the sports quota. Despite scoring well in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, Raghunath’s application for admission in government seats under the sports quota was rejected by the KEA, leading her to take a private seat and pay over Rs 11 lakh in fees.

The Court acknowledged the sacrifices Raghunath had made in pursuing her sport and the pride she brought to the nation through her achievements. While the sports quota seats in the State medical colleges for the current academic year had already been filled, the Court deemed it necessary to compensate Raghunath for the suffering caused by the State’s actions.

Advocate Srikanth MP represented Raghunath in the case, which was heard by a bench of Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind. The Court’s decision to award Rs 10 lakh in compensation to Raghunath sends a strong message about the importance of fairness and accountability in the allocation of educational opportunities under sports quotas.