Srinagar: Arjuna Awardee para archer Rakesh Kumar, who recently accused the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council of unfairly excluding him from recruitment under the SO-12 Outstanding Sportspersons Policy, has now come under scrutiny himself after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) issued him a show-cause notice for allegedly conducting an unauthorized press conference without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority.
The development has added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding Kumar’s allegations against the Sports Council and has raised fresh questions about the sequence of events that unfolded over the past few weeks.
According to an official show-cause notice dated July 23, 2026, issued by the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Rakesh Kumar, who is serving as an Assistant Coach at the SMVD Sports Complex, Katra, allegedly addressed a press conference whose video later surfaced on social media on July 18, 2026, without prior information, intimation or permission from the competent authority.
The Shrine Board has alleged that Kumar’s actions violated its Circular Instructions dated April 15, 2023, which prohibit employees from engaging in unauthorized public debates, discussions, press interactions or inappropriate social media activity. The notice further states that his conduct amounts to misconduct under Clause 23 of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (Employees Recruitment and Other Conditions of Service) Bye-Laws, 1996, invoking sub-clauses vii, xvii, xxv and xxvi.
Invoking the principles of natural justice, the Board has directed Kumar to submit a written explanation within three days, failing which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against him under the applicable rules.
Allegations Against Sports Council
The show-cause notice comes days after Rakesh Kumar publicly alleged that the J&K Sports Council had denied him appointment under the SO-12 Outstanding Sportspersons Recruitment Policy, claiming that despite being an international para archer and an Arjuna Awardee, he had been unfairly ignored.
His allegations triggered widespread debate within the sporting fraternity, with several media outlets carrying his statements questioning the fairness of the recruitment process.
However, the J&K Sports Council responded with a detailed clarification, categorically rejecting Kumar’s allegations and describing them as factually incorrect.
According to the Council, official records show that Rakesh Kumar never submitted an application under the recruitment notification issued for appointments under SO-12 of 2022. Consequently, his candidature was never examined by either the Scrutiny Committee or the Selection Committee.
The Council pointed out that the General Merit List was published on July 19, 2024, and remained in the public domain for 15 days to invite objections, corrections and grievances. During this period, Kumar did not submit any objection or claim regarding his alleged exclusion.
The Sports Council further stated that Kumar approached the authorities only after the Provisional Selection List was issued on February 11, 2026, seeking inclusion despite never having applied for the advertised posts.
The Council maintained that such a request could not legally be entertained, reiterating that “a person who has not applied pursuant to the advertisement cannot claim consideration for selection as a matter of right.”
Describing the controversy as one of non-participation rather than exclusion, the Council emphasized that the recruitment process was conducted transparently, strictly in accordance with the applicable rules, and reviewed by the competent committees.
It also reserved its right to initiate legal action against anyone found deliberately spreading false or misleading information capable of creating public confusion or undermining confidence in institutional processes.
Existing Employment Comes to Light
The Shrine Board’s show-cause notice has also brought another important fact into the public domain.
The official document identifies Rakesh Kumar as an Assistant Coach at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex, Katra, indicating that he is already serving in a government-controlled sports institution after securing employment under the Shrine Board’s sports quota.
This revelation has prompted fresh discussion within sports circles regarding Kumar’s public campaign against the SO-12 recruitment process.
Observers note that while an athlete is legally entitled to seek any recruitment opportunity for which he is eligible, appointments under the SO-12 policy require candidates to submit applications within the prescribed time frame and satisfy the eligibility criteria, including educational qualifications wherever applicable.
Since the Sports Council maintains that Kumar never applied under the recruitment notification, officials argue that his claim of being excluded from the process is unsupported by official records.
Protest Against Sports Jobs List
Before the Shrine Board notice surfaced, Rakesh Kumar had also joined protests against the recently issued sports jobs list, reiterating that his achievements as an Arjuna Awardee and an international para archer entitled him to consideration under the Outstanding Sportspersons quota.
The Sports Council, however, has consistently maintained that recognition or sporting achievements alone do not substitute for compliance with the prescribed recruitment procedure, and that every eligible candidate is required to participate in the notified selection process by submitting an application within the stipulated period.
Fresh Questions
With the issuance of the Shrine Board’s show-cause notice, the focus has shifted from Kumar’s allegations against the Sports Council to his own conduct as an employee of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
While the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Shrine Board relate solely to the alleged unauthorized press conference and remain subject to Kumar’s response, the development has intensified scrutiny over the controversy and the public claims made regarding the SO-12 recruitment process.
As of now, Rakesh Kumar has not publicly responded to the Shrine Board’s show-cause notice.
From SO-12 Allegations to Shrine Board Show-Cause Notice: Questions Mount Over Para Archer Rakesh Kumar’s Claims
