New Delhi: Supreme Court President’s Gallantry Award case has once again come into the spotlight after the Supreme Court strongly questioned the Central Government over the delay in implementing its directions. The case involves former Madhya Pradesh police officer Vivek Singh Chouhan, who has been waiting for more than 23 years to receive the President’s Gallantry Medal for his bravery during an anti-dacoity operation in 2003. The apex court has now given the Centre one final opportunity to take a decision before the next hearing on July 29, 2026.
What Is the Background of the Vivek Singh Chouhan Gallantry Award Case
The dispute dates back to 2003. At that time, Vivek Singh Chouhan was serving as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Ghatigaon Police Station in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district. Police received intelligence about the presence of dreaded dacoits in a village. Chouhan led an anti-dacoity operation.
Read also: Supreme Court Questions Kerala HC Delay in Life-Saving Drugs Case, Seeks Quick Decision
During the encounter:
- Two dacoits were killed.
- Chouhan himself suffered injuries.
- A magisterial inquiry later found the encounter to be genuine.
- Authorities recommended him for the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry.
His bravery was officially recognised through departmental recommendations.
How Did the Legal Dispute Begin
Despite recommendations from the Madhya Pradesh Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs rejected the proposal in 2019. Chouhan challenged the decision before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. In 2024, the High Court directed the Centre to confer the President’s Gallantry Medal within one month. However, instead of granting the President’s Gallantry Medal, the Centre later approved only the Gallantry Medal (GM). The High Court held that these are two different honours and that the Centre had not complied with its order.
High Court Found Prima Facie Contempt
The Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that the Union Government had misunderstood or ignored its directions. The Court held Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan prima facie guilty of contempt for failing to comply with the earlier order.
It granted one final opportunity to implement the judgment and warned that further proceedings would follow if compliance was not ensured.
Supreme Court Directives on Vivek Singh Chouhan Gallantry Award Case
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice R. Mahadevan heard the matter on Monday.
The judges expressed serious displeasure after the Union Government requested more time instead of complying with the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s direction to confer the President’s Gallantry Medal on Vivek Singh Chouhan. The Court repeatedly questioned why the government was delaying the decision despite several previous opportunities.
Centre Says Review Petition Is Pending
Appearing for the Union Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that the Centre has already filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s earlier order. He argued that:
- The government’s objection is based on a legal principle.
- The objection is not against Vivek Singh Chouhan personally.
- National honours should normally be decided by the government and not through judicial directions.
He requested the Court to hear the review petition before directing the government to implement the award.
Supreme Court Asks: Why Not Follow the Order First?
Justice Vikram Nath questioned the government’s stand. The Bench asked why the Centre could not first comply with the court’s order and continue pursuing the review petition later.
The Court observed that if the review petition is ultimately allowed, the award could always be withdrawn later. Therefore, delaying the award at this stage did not appear justified. The judges remarked that such a small issue should not be unnecessarily prolonged.
Court Says Government Is Taking an Unnecessary Stand
During the hearing, Justice Vikram Nath remarked that the government appeared to be taking an unnecessary stand against a former Police Sub-Inspector. The Solicitor General clarified that the issue had nothing to do with the officer’s rank and was only about the legal principle involved. However, the Bench remained unconvinced and continued questioning the delay.
Lawyer Says Officer Has Waited for 23 Years
Counsel appearing for Vivek Singh Chouhan informed the Court that his client has already waited 23 years for justice. The lawyer submitted that the authorities had already been found guilty of contempt by the High Court and only the question of punishment remained. He urged the Supreme Court to direct immediate compliance.
The counsel also pointed out that the President’s Gallantry Awards are generally announced only on Republic Day and Independence Day.
If the government delays further, Chouhan may have to wait another year despite already waiting for more than two decades.
Why Is Vivek Singh Chouhan Gallantry Award Case Important
The case is important because it raises questions about:
- Delay in implementing court orders.
- Recognition of police officers who perform acts of exceptional bravery.
- Whether the government can delay compliance while a review petition is pending.
- The powers of the judiciary when government authorities fail to follow court directions.
The Supreme Court made it clear that justice should not be delayed without a valid reason, especially in a matter involving national honours.
Vivek Singh Chouhan Gallantry Award Case: Supreme Court Gives Final Deadline
Although the Solicitor General initially requested one month’s time and later sought two weeks, the Supreme Court refused to grant a lengthy extension. Instead, the Court gave the Centre only one final week to make a decision. The matter has now been listed for hearing on July 29, 2026. The Bench clearly stated that no further extension would be granted.
Justice Vikram Nath also asked the government to understand that the Court was unhappy with the repeated delay.
Justice Sandeep Mehta’s Strong Observation
Justice Sandeep Mehta also made a strong observation during the hearing. He stated that the government should either openly declare that it would ignore the court’s order or simply confer the award by August 15.
According to the Bench, once the award is granted, the Court can still consider the government’s review petition afterwards if necessary. This observation reflected the Court’s concern that legal procedures should not become a reason for endless delays.
Why Are the Two Gallantry Awards Different
One of the key issues in this case is the difference between the two awards. The High Court explained that:
- President’s Gallantry Medal is a higher honour.
- Gallantry Medal (GM) is a separate and lower decoration.
- The government’s approval of the Gallantry Medal could not be treated as compliance with the earlier court order.
The Court also described the Centre’s interpretation of its earlier judgment as “totally unwarranted.”
Supreme Court’s Message
The Supreme Court made it clear that government authorities cannot indefinitely delay implementing judicial orders simply because a review petition has been filed. The Bench observed that unless a court order is stayed or modified, it is expected to be followed. The judges indicated that unnecessary delays reduce public confidence in the justice delivery system.
Read also: Supreme Court Makes Big Clarification on Voter List Deletion and Citizenship
