"This criteria (fitness test) is apt and justified for outdoor and also indoor games in which physical involvement is there in sports like badminton and table tennis. It may not be entirely rational to have this criteria for games like chess," a bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.
"Laying down all these standards is not the function of the courts, therefore, this court can only direct University of Delhi to consider the matter in the light of our observation and after in-depth deliberations come out with the physical standards which are required for these games," the court said.
The court was hearing the plea of 17-year-old chess player Chetna Karnani, who was denied admission in BA English (Hons) course for failing the physical fitness test.
Karnani, in her petition, had termed the University's decision to deny her admission on sports quota as "arbitrary."
"No doubt it is the physical fitness which leads to mental fitness. However, it should be examined as to whether for a person playing games like chess what level of physical fitness is appropriate," the court said, adding that "different standard of physical fitness may be required for games like chess and carrom."
While directing the DU to implement new norms from next academic session, the court, however, declined to grant any relief to Karnani on the ground that the current academic session has already started.
"Unless the DU prescribes fresh standards for games like Chess, we cannot grant any relief to her," the bench added. (More)
