Srinagar, May 30, 2026 : International water sports icon and Olympic judge Bilquis Mir has approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) by filing a contempt petition against the Jammu and Kashmir Youth Services and Sports Department for allegedly failing to comply with tribunal directions to release her salary, which has remained unpaid for more than two-and-a-half years.
The contempt plea has been filed against the Commissioner Secretary of the Youth Services and Sports Department and the Director General of the department, accusing them of willfully disregarding the CAT’s February 5, 2026 order directing immediate release of her legitimately earned salary.
According to the petition, the tribunal had specifically ordered the department to clear Mir’s pending salary from November 2023 onwards within 15 days. However, despite the expiry of the stipulated period, the payment has allegedly not been released.
Mir, who made history as India’s first and only female kayaking and canoeing judge at the Paris Olympics 2024, stated that the prolonged delay has caused severe financial hardship and professional distress despite her continued service and contributions to Indian sports.
Her troubles began in November 2023 when the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case against her under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, alleging irregularities and criminal conspiracy.
However, in July 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed the FIR, delivering strong observations against the authorities and stating that efforts appeared to have been made to harass a highly accomplished sportsperson.
The High Court had observed that authorities were “leaving no stone unturned” in troubling a talented individual who had brought recognition to the country through her achievements.
Bilquis Mir’s sporting journey spans nearly three decades. She represented India at the 2009 Canoeing and Kayaking World Cup in Hungary and became the first Indian woman appointed as a judge at the Asian Games.
She also served as the national coach for India’s women’s kayaking and canoeing team during the London Olympics 2012 cycle and earned distinction as the first Indian woman to obtain an international coaching diploma from Hungary’s prestigious Semmelweis University Institute of Coaching and Sport.
Her coaching credentials further include assignments at the Under-23 Canoe Slalom World Championship in Italy and the Asian Canoe Slalom Championships in Japan.
One of the defining moments of her career came when she was selected as a judge for the Paris Olympics, a position she eventually assumed after securing judicial intervention to facilitate her participation.
Earlier this year, Mir was appointed Chief Coach of India’s national kayaking and canoeing team for the upcoming Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4. However, delays in her official release reportedly forced the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association to seek urgent intervention from the High Court.
In her contempt petition, Mir argued that the continued denial of salary despite clear judicial directions amounts to deliberate and intentional non-compliance, undermining the authority of the tribunal and the rule of law.
The plea states that the officials concerned had full knowledge of the tribunal’s order as it was passed in the presence of the government’s legal representatives, leaving no scope for misunderstanding or procedural confusion.
The dispute over her salary had initially reached the High Court through a writ petition before being transferred to the CAT’s Srinagar Bench for adjudication.
In earlier proceedings, the High Court had strongly defended Mir’s achievements, describing her success as a matter of pride for Indian women and noting that the country has produced very few sports personalities and coaches of her stature.
The court had also criticized investigative agencies for attempting to question aspects of her educational qualifications and examination records, describing the approach as deeply troubling and suggestive of a targeted campaign.
In one of its strongest observations, the High Court termed the proceedings against Mir a “witch-hunt” allegedly driven by vested interests and warned against discouraging individuals who have brought international recognition to the country.
The contempt petition is now expected to come up before the Central Administrative Tribunal for further proceedings regarding compliance with its earlier order and the release of the long-pending salary dues.
