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Para-shooters have warned that they could seek judicial intervention if the allegations are not addressed.
PCI has rejected the allegations.
Para-shooters have threatened legal action and sought an independent probe into allegations of financial corruption, extortion and irregularities in the selection of India’s squad for the Para Asian Games. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), however, has rejected the allegations and maintained that the team was selected strictly on merit and in accordance with the prescribed rules.
The controversy centres on a representation submitted by a group of shooters to the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday. The athletes accused PCI officials and its Shooting Technical Committee (STC) of violating Sports Ministry guidelines while selecting the Indian team for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games, to be held from October 18 to 24.
Among the allegations in the representation are claims of “illicit monetary extortion” and “brazen corruption”. The shooters alleged that athletes were being asked to surrender 20 per cent of their government cash awards as a condition for securing selection, while also alleging that international quota slots and qualifying scores were manipulated to benefit particular competitors.
“Athletes are being coerced under severe duress into paying an illegal kickback of 20 per cent of their sanctioned government cash awards to designated committee office-bearers as a mandatory pre-condition for national team selection,” the representation alleged.
The athletes also questioned the allocation of international wild-card opportunities, alleging that financial considerations had been prioritised over rankings and sporting performances. They claimed that two of the 15 international quota places available to India were ultimately surrendered after the next-ranked shooters declined to comply with the alleged monetary demands.
The representation further alleged that the selection panel had departed from the criteria laid down by the Sports Ministry, altered qualifying scores and replaced an earlier selection committee without providing a recorded justification.
Questions were also raised over the appointment of an individual as a technical expert and Director of Operations. The shooters alleged that the person had no record of competing in an official shooting event.
At A Glance
Para-shooters have threatened legal action and sought an independent probe into irregularities in the selection of India’s squad
The Paralympic Committee of India has rejected the allegations, stating the team was selected strictly on merit.
Athletes alleged they were asked to give 20 percent of their government cash awards as a condition for securing selection.
Sandeep Kumar, a P4 50m free pistol SH1 shooter ranked third in Asia, alleged bias in the selection process.
One of the athletes raising concerns is Sandeep Kumar, a P4 50m free pistol SH1 shooter ranked third in Asia. He alleged that the selection process was biased, claiming that Rudrankksh Khandelwal, ranked 14th in Asia, was picked ahead of Akash, the Asian No. 1, as well as himself.
Sandeep said he was “deeply aggrieved” by what he described as arbitrary decisions and violations of the selection rules.
PCI president Devendra Jhajharia rejected the allegations and said the squad had been selected through a transparent process based on the established criteria.
“The selection has been done as per the criteria. There has been no discrimination against anyone. The selections are 100 per cent fair and according to the Sports Ministry’s guidelines,” Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympics javelin gold-medallist, told PTI.
Jhajharia also dismissed Sandeep’s claim that he had been left out to make way for a shooter who had links to the coach.
“Those are all false allegations,” Jhajharia said.
A Sports Ministry source said legitimate concerns raised by the para-shooters would be examined. However, the source noted that the selection process for the Para Asian Games had already concluded and that the squad could not be altered at this stage.
The athletes have indicated that the dispute could move to court if their complaints are not addressed. They said they were considering approaching the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeking a writ of mandamus and a court-monitored investigation into the allegations.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Para-shooters have alleged financial corruption, extortion, and irregularities in selecting India’s squad for the Para Asian Games, claiming athletes were coerced into surrendering 20 per cent of their government cash awards and that quota slots were manipulated.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
October 08, 2026, 10:15 IST
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