J&K HC Quashes FIR Against Water Sportswoman Bilquis Mir

On July 25, 2025, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir quashed the FIR against ace water sportswoman and coach Bilquis Mir, calling the case a witch-hunt by vested interests.[1]

The FIR alleged that Mir (i) failed to obtain a BP.Ed. qualification during her probation as a Physical Education Teacher, (ii) was unlawfully granted higher pay while on deputation with the J&K Sports Council, and (iii) was improperly elevated as In-charge Executive Director, Water Sports Centre, Srinagar.

The Court held that even if these allegations were admitted to be correct, they disclosed no offence. Non-acquisition of BP.Ed. did not amount to corruption or abuse of position, particularly since Mir’s probation period had expired before her deputation to the Council. Responsibility for enforcing the condition lay with her parent department, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, not with the borrowing department, viz. J&K Sports Council and the Government retained discretion to waive the requirement. Her assignments also made completion of the course impractical.

On the higher pay allegation, the Court found the Sports Council’s decision justified by Mir’s outstanding achievements and the need to retain her talent in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The allegation regarding her designation as In-Charge Executive Director was likewise held to be without any substance.

Highlighting that Mir has brought laurels to the country, the Court criticised the Investigating Agency for criminalising the lack of a technical qualification. Continuing the criminal proceedings, it concluded, would constitute an abuse of the legal process. Therefore, the petition was granted and the FIR quashed.

[1] Bilquis Mir v. Union Territory Through Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau (Home Department) [CRM(M) No.652/2023].